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The right to repair our devices is a bit of a hot-button issue these days, what with the European Parliamentstrengthening rulesto protect consumer rights, andthe odd public spatbetween major tech manufacturers and repair guide providers. You’d think, however, that the US military would have no trouble ensuring that the equipment it buys from third party manufacturers was able to be repaired and maintained in-house.
Senator Elizabeth Warrencalled for new right to repair legislationin regards to the US military in May of this year, explaining that, under the current system, service members are prevented from maintaining or repairing equipment due to restrictions placed on deals with the government. Section 828 of the Defence Reauthorisation Act was introduced, calling for a requirement for contractors to provide “reasonable access” to repair materials.
“Take the Navy’sLittoral combat ship. General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin considered much of the data on the ship to be proprietary, so the Navy had to delay missions and spend millions of dollars on travel costs, just so that contractor-affiliated repairmen could fly in, rather than doing this ourselves”
It’s a fair point. While we rightly bemoan attempts to block us from repairing things like our phones and laptops, when it comes to military equipment, the stakes can be a whole lot higher, and the costs, potentially gargantuan. That hasn’t stopped some from attempting to block the new law, however.
The letter argues that being required to sell repair parts to the military would would “impose significant burdens on contractors throughout the country, including the many small and medium-sized businesses and commercial suppliers that contractors rely on to support the Department’s operational readiness and effectiveness.”
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(Image credit: Future)Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
(Image credit: Future)
Best gaming PC: The top pre-built machines.Best gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
In the list of signees, among some expected names like the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Defense Industrial Association, lurks some groups that might not be the first thought when we think of military contractors. There’s the Textile Care Allied Trades Association, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Graphic Media Alliance and even Plumbing Manufacturers International.
Next time you see a US military facility on TV, pay attention to the lawns outside the head honchos office. If they’re looking a little worse for wear, that may be because the government is waiting on an external engineer to replace some mower blades.
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The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April
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Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’
If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video
Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans
The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements
Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot
Palestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 Nakba
Piranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’
Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
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