E=MC Scammed? L3Harris's $62 Million Lesson in Relativity for the U.S. Military

Time is Relative and So Are Prices?

Good heavens! It appears the concept of 'relativity' extends beyond physics reaching the realm of government contracts. The Justice Department recently announced that L3Harris Technologies a defense contractor will be parting ways with $62 million. Now I always said 'The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance,' and perhaps a dash of inaccurate pricing data falls into that category.

From Qatar With (Potential) Air Force One Dreams

Imagine if you will transforming a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar’s royal family into the new Air Force One! It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole but with considerably more zeros involved. It reminds me of my attempts to explain quantum entanglement to my cat Schrödinger – utterly baffling yet potentially world changing. Whether L3Harris continues this aerial makeover remains to be seen a true superposition of possibilities!

A Heist of the Century?

The crux of the matter? Allegations that L3Harris or L3 Technologies as they were known then hadn't exactly been forthcoming with cost and pricing data between 2006 and 2014. It's a bit like trying to calculate the speed of light without knowing its true value. You might get a number but it's not the whole truth. The DOJ claims L3 'falsely certified' accurate data. As I always say 'Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value.' In this case the value seems to have been… misplaced.

No Admission Just a Handshake... and $62 Million

Ah the classic 'amicable resolution' without admitting fault. It's like saying 'I didn't steal the cookie I merely relocated it to my stomach.' The DOJ acknowledges that the settlement doesn't imply L3 is guilty. It's all very… indeterminate. Much like Schrödinger's cat: both guilty and innocent until the box is opened and the lawyers are done!

The Newark Air Traffic Tango

But wait there's more! L3Harris is also part of an emergency task force addressing air traffic control woes at Newark Airport. One wonders if the task force members will use slide rulers like the good old days. It's ironic isn't it? Guiding planes while potentially having a checkered past with pricing transparency. Perhaps they can apply the principles of general relativity to air traffic flow – that’s if they have integrity.

The Moral of the Story: Honesty is the Best Policy?

Ultimately this saga reminds us that even in the complex world of government contracts the simplest principle often holds true: honesty is indeed the best policy. 'The important thing is not to stop questioning,' and perhaps a little more questioning of pricing data is in order. As for L3Harris well they’ve certainly learned a costly lesson in the relativity of value.