RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, and Collins Aerospace just agreed to a $200 million fine to the State Department for 750 (!!) violations of the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations, for exporting or taking ‘secret’ technology to (…wait for it…) Russia, China, Iran, Lebanon, and elsewhere. That $200 million represents a whopping 5% of their 2023 net profits. If Jullian had just incorporated perhaps he would not have to spend years of his life running from the ‘law’ or in prison. Hell, RTX chiefs weren’t even named much less shamed. Let me fix that:
RTX CEO and chief gun runner is the well-compensated ($12.7 million) Christopher T. Calio;
Raytheon Prez and chief bombardier, Phil Jasper:
Pratt & Whitney Prez and head rocketman, Shane G. Eddy; and
Collins Aerospace Prez and low-orbit space laser Troy Bunk.
Would it be too (or just enough) paranoid to suggest that sluffing off (or selling) weapons systems and tech secrets to ‘enemy’ countries is a well-developed business practice by many if not most weapons manufacturers? After all, if the Ruskies have “developed weapons systems on a par with ‘ours,’ then, heck, we need to ramp up our efforts to get ahead of them! Throw money and be quick about it!”
As if this little news item needs a punchline, note that half of that fine will remain with RTX for “remedial compliance measures.” Right.
