A C5 galaxy was designed in the mid 60's.
It
Nowadays....
In short, toilet seats for military aircraft are need to meet harsh requirements. The "$10,000" toilet seat story was already explained. The equipment to make that seat is long gone. The specs are still the same. If someone can go out and have a custom toilet seat makers using the original specs for cheaper without violating US patent law then feel free to pipe in.
NOw on to the Coffee cups
Whats that thing on the side? How come I can't buy this at Bed Bath and Beyond? Where can one find the original contract that resulted in this buy? anyone have the link?
So this is a custom mug that is a mug with a built in heating element that can survive life on a tanker being handled by hungover kids who beat the crap out of everything.
BUT WAIT
Months ago, as noted EVERYWHERE the military has already moved on to 3-d printing replacement parts for a fraction of the cost.
https://www.military.com/defensetec...ups-could-last-longer-thanks-3d-printing.html
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/...that-mug-of-joe-its-worth-its-weight-in-gold/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/mi...3d-printing-coffee-cup-handles-to-save-money/
So Grassley read a FoxNews report but never bother to read the last frucking line that said the Airforce has already moved on to 3-d printing these parts?
Grassley never bother to read every damn report that already went through the issues around design requirements, patent laws how to handle the replacement of parts no longer in production?
Is this one of those b.s "make a lot of noise" crap these idiots do around midterms to make it seem like they give a shit about taxpayer money?
Does Grassely not understand how small volume contracts work? Does he not understand that parts available at home depot or walmart don't meet the specs required on stuff that has to operate under extreme conditions? Does he not keep track of efforts within the armed service to reduce costs? Does he not understand how DoD acquisition works
https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/1998/12/the-myth-of-the-600-hammer/5271/
How many times are these nitwits going to break out