ProPublica investigation exposes opacity in US defence spending
With Congress appropriating $1 trillion for defence this year, ProPublica has launched a series to examine systemic cost overruns and lack of transparency in the US Department of Defense.
ProPublica has launched an investigative series titled The $1 Trillion Black Box to examine the opacity and inefficiency of the US Department of Defense budget. The investigation highlights that Congress appropriated $1 trillion for defence this year, with projections under the Trump administration reaching $1.5 trillion. The series scrutinises systemic issues including cost overruns, delays, and performance failures in major weapon systems such as the F-35 jet, Zumwalt-class destroyers, and the Next Generation Operational Control System.
The report notes that the Pentagon’s balance sheets remain opaque even to the agency itself, as it has never received a passing grade on a comprehensive financial audit. ProPublica is seeking assistance from individuals with experience in defence budgeting, spending, or contracting to help uncover stories regarding the allocation of taxpayer funds.
Specific examples of systemic failure cited in the investigation include the Zumwalt-class destroyers, which were originally estimated at $1.5 billion per ship in 1998 but now exceed $10 billion per ship, with only three of the planned 32 vessels built. The Next Generation Operational Control System for GPS satellites was canceled after 16 years and $6.27 billion in costs, despite initial projections of $4.5 billion.
The investigation also scrutinises contractor practices, noting that five major firms received $771 billion in contracts between 2020 and 2024. These firms include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, RTX, and Northrop Grumman. The report cites instances of fraud, such as RTX admitting to two schemes to defraud the Pentagon regarding Patriot missile systems and paying over $950 million to resolve federal investigations.
Further details reveal that the F-35 jet, projected to cost $2 trillion over its lifecycle, is able to perform all of its missions only a quarter of the time. The current administration has reportedly gutted the office that tests weapons systems for safety and efficacy, while two of President Trump’s marquee Pentagon programs are estimated to collectively cost more than $1 trillion.
