Counterfeit Electronic Parts Ending Up In DoD Weapons Systems

TPM

Faulty counterfeit electronic parts are ending up in the Defense Department's weapons systems, and the problem poses a critical risk to national security, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI), who chairs the panel, and John McCain (R-AZ), its ranking member, on Wednesday called the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in the DoD supply chain a "growing problem" and announced an investigation into just how they are ending up there.

"Counterfeit electronic parts pose a risk to our national security, the reliability of our weapons systems and the safety of our military men and women," the senators said in the release. "The proliferation of counterfeit goods also damages our economy and costs American jobs."

Over the course of our investigation, the committee plans to determine the source and extent of this problem and identify possible solutions.............