I am sorry, Engines...
But I started reading your post in the voice of Graham Chapman's Colonel and could not stop.
Yes, there are dedicated and good people working on the program for all the right reasons.
Unfortunately, too many of the people in charge at the top level over the past few years have done their level best to cover up real problems and to discredit groups and individuals who have been trying to raise the alarm. In some cases they have caused real damage. The contractors have also paid third parties to write complete
s about the program, simply to muddy the waters.
Which is to say that you may be an upright and honorable or wing commander, but if your generals and air marshals are liars and bullies you are going to have a tough ride.
Also, a rational assessment of the program's problems back in 2007-08 would have placed it in much better shape today to ride out the coming budget storm.