“The US no longer knows how to build anything of substance on time or anywhere near its budget.”
Industry and government collude to turn $1 billion into $10 billion. The contracts are written so this is possible. Companies under bid and then make it up when the customer constantly changes the contract’s scope. A fighter that starts as a fighter must suddenly be a bomber, a fuel hauler, an electronic warfare center and a 10 furrow Mach 2.5 corn plow. The cost which would really have been only 2 times the bid price is now 10 times the bid price. The officers and government officials get paid off with jobs or political support. Many times, I’ve seen maps showing that sub-contracts are in virtually every Congressional district. I’ve seen companies relocate to a new Congressman’s district just to get one more vote.
Inability to produce high quality goods on time has nothing to do companies, talent or capabilities. It has to do with the political process by which the United States buys these things.
If there was an emergency at KSC and NASA had to build itself an emergency outhouse, I’d pity the grounds crew.