A step-by-step chokepoint chain built on a September 26 New York Times report. Military-grade ball screws take years to buy, the few US shops that grind them are near full capacity, and adding capacity needs new grinding machines and scarce machinists. The drone-defense thesis hinges on funded orders becoming deliveries, and this is a concrete limit on how fast interceptor money turns into product.
The US used nearly two-thirds of its Patriot missiles against Iran. Now the $58.6B plan to replace them is screwed. Making Patriot missiles requires precision ball screws, and buying one can take years. Only a handful of US shops make the military grade. Demand is up as much as
A step-by-step chokepoint chain built on a September 26 New York Times report. Military-grade ball screws take years to buy, the few US shops that grind them are near full capacity, and adding capacity needs new grinding machines and scarce machinists. The drone-defense thesis hinges on funded orders becoming deliveries, and this is a concrete limit on how fast interceptor money turns into product.
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