Phony Parts Flooding Pentagon Supply Chain

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Electronics industry officials say counterfeit parts flooding the Pentagon supply chain are a "ticking time bomb." The officials testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The panel is conducting an ongoing investigation into suspect electronics from China that end up in weapons systems, helicopters and aircraft. Committee chairman, Michigan Senator Carl Levin, said China declined to send a witness to answer questions.

The committee's investigation found about 1,800 cases of suspect counterfeit electronics being sold to the Pentagon.

Levin says the counterfeit parts put U.S. troops at risk.

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