Adamant Admiral

Partly because of Admiral George Anderson's outspoken criticism of the award of the TFX fighter-plane contract to General Dynamics, the Kennedy Administration decided to drop him as U.S. Chief of Naval Operations. As a sop, Anderson was named U.S. Ambassador to Portugal.

But according to testimony released last week by a Senate investigating committee, Anderson did not learn his lesson. This time he was criticizing the civilian Pentagon's award of an $18 million contract to Bell Aerosystems Co. to build a plane (the X-22) that can take off and land almost vertically. The odd-shaped craft will have a 39-ft. rear wing, stubby forward wings and four 7-ft.-diameter propeller ducts that can be directed at the ground for vertical thrust. When horizontal, they will help push the plane to 350 m.p.h.

As with the TFX, the Defense Department's final decision on the X22 reversed the recommendations of Navy technical evaluators--and of Anderson. They had argued that, on the basis of cost and technical considerations, the contract should go to Douglas Aircraft.

In defending the decision, Deputy Defense Secretary Roswell Gilpatric told the committee that it was based primarily upon his belief that Bell had greater experience in developing this type of aircraft. He said that he understood that the technical experts found both designs acceptable, but admitted that he made his decision before reading all of the evaluations, was unaware that the Navy's Bureau of Weapons termed the Douglas proposal "a clear choice."

Admiral Anderson, speaking before the committee, protested: "The philosophy of reversal without adequate and thorough consultation is dangerous. The professional advice of military and civilian experts charged with the technical evaluation of design proposals should not be overturned except for the most compelling and persuasive reasons. Such reversals can only be detrimental to the competitive spirit of American industry. For many years, the Navy has attempted to foster and maintain this spirit to ensure that we receive the most effective weapons systems and hardware attainable. If other considerations are to be introduced in to what hitherto has been a strictly competitive process, industry should know in advance the ground rules."

Anderson was talking like a man who thought he had not much more to lose. But little does he know. He may yet end up as naval attache in Timbuctoo.

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