If you have ever seen the program presentations by defense program offices, they all seem to have the same chart. The chart is a map of the USA, and it is color coded to indicate all the states or congressional districts that have jobs associated with the specific defense system.
It is the first chart that gets shown to every congressional delegation asking for a program briefing.
The biggest systems have made this an art form . . they try for some part of their contract to live in each state.
Having local constituents employed by the defense contractor industry makes it hard for our Congressional Reps to kill a program. Look to the V-22 Osprey as a prime example. The military top brass did not want it, but the V-22 kept getting funded year after year because the contract money was so well spread out in all the states.
I’m sure you’re right, there’s a huge history of politicians funding programs our military doesn’t want. It’s a shame they won’t stop funding earmarks for private companies, that itself would save a bundle.