[hchutch]

If a military requirement does not exist, then Rumsfeld should cancel it, as he cancelled the Crusader. Yet this program has not been cancelled. Why is that?

It should be noted that in the article, the judge looked over classified data that convinced her the Navy had a legitimate need for the SURTASS LFA system. I do not know if Long Cut is privy to this data, or if he can even mention that he is privy to it, but this judge was convinced to ACCEPT the Navy's determination that this system is needed.

[WestPacSailor]

For anyone interested this link will give you a good, concise overview of SURTASS LFA.

[GovernmentShrinker]

1) The Navy is not above presenting biased information to support its pet projects.

2) The judge acknowledged that the system appears to have some military benefits, but she "ruled that the Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to consider alternatives that could shield whales and other marine life from these loud sounds", nor did she find the Navy's argument so compelling as to allow them to pursue testing and deployment without restrictions.

Her ruling sounds reasonable to me, boiling down to an order to proceed slowly and carefully with research on this system, and fully explore alternatives and modifications which would mitigate its harmful effects. Meanwhile, until improvements can be made, her ruling permits use of the system when it's really needed to deal with immediate military threats.

[aimhigh]

Yet this program has not been cancelled. Why is that?

Perhaps we should follow the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.