Here's the article in full. From the MoS
New RAF computer has crash landing
THE RAF has been hit by a crippling computer crash that has left thousands of airmen without wages and expenses.
Pilots and ground crew in Iraq and Afghanistan are among those affected. A new £100million system, introduced by former Defence Secretary John Reid and designed to simplify paying 48,000 RAF men and women around the world, failed on launch two months ago.
Defence Ministers wanted it to cover every member of the Armed Forces within months. Instead the RAF has had to organise emergency pay-runs to help staff and their families.
The Joint Personnel Administration system (JPA) was designed to be fully interactive, allowing airmen to access their affairs online.
But despite a five-year project between the MoD and the system’s supplier, US conglomerate EDS, the sheer volume of users logging on to the network caused it to crash.
Last night an RAF source described the situation as ‘chaos’, adding: ‘This was to be a moment of glory for the MoD but it has been a disaster.’
RAF spokesman Wing Commander Trevor Field said: ‘Everyone affected should now have received any missed payments.’
Nice to see Wg Cmdr Field painting a happy picture.
You see Sid, you must have been paid he said so.
