I am embarrassed to say it but sometimes, especially when I get something wrong, I take solace in the cock-ups of other people. And this is a beauty. In this week’s Flight International magazine, there’s a story about a billion dollar misprint.

On 13 June, the army claimed the contract amount for $2.04 billion would purchase up to 78 aircraft. The next day, L-3 Integrated Systems told Flight International that the $2.04 billion is actually for purchasing 55 aircraft … But the air force is challenging both sets of numbers, claiming information in the army’s announcement was “misprint”. … The current contract represents a planned procurement of 40 aircraft

Wow! Either they’re getting 78 aircraft, 55 aircraft or 40. Neither the buyer, the supplier or their buddies in the air force agree what the right number is. This is a week after the contract was signed.

Technorati Tags: Flight International, press releases, army, air force