Muellner

A few weeks later, Muellner told me early this year, he was called back for a meeting with civilian Pentagon officials, who asked him again how he would like the assignment.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

The solution Muellner and his team devised was the first major break for the JSF.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

In 1994 George Muellner was a one-star Air Force general, fifty-one years old.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

When George Muellner gave his first speech after taking command of the joint advanced strike technology program, he drew a line through the "advanced" and changed it to "affordable."

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

Through 1994 Muellner assembled a staff and began to consider how to overcome the history of joint-program failure and the current reality of adversaries in every corner of the Pentagon.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

Merrill McPeak told Muellner that the ideal airplane would be a modernized, stealthy version of the F-16, with one seat and one engine, to keep size and weight down and operating costs low.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

As the director of JAST, Muellner was supposed to convert a mere research team into an actual airplane-buying effort — the Joint Strike Fighter project.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

The findings amounted to a yes, and in 1994 George Muellner learned that he would be the one to make this happen.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

This new airplane has gotten as far as it has because of the cunning, ingenuity, and perseverance of people like Darleen Druyun, George Muellner, and Jacques Gansler — people largely unknown to the public who have fought the battles over the JSF inside corporate, governmental, and military bureaucracies.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002

Muellner said he would not like this opportunity one bit.

Uncle Sam Buys an Airplane 2002