Defense Contracting
Leidos’ “Black Arrow” Missile Is Amazing—But It Might Be Too Late
The Black Arrow is an indicator of the deep trouble that the Pentagon finds itself in today. It may also be a way out.
Why the Air Force Chose Boeing for the F-47
Fortunately for Boeing, the Air Force did not heavily consider “past performance” in the selection—prioritizing "best overall value" in the contract.
The Greatest Plane That Never Was: The F-22N Sea Raptor
If the Navy had embraced this brilliant plane, it is unlikely that the Obama administration would have been able to cut the production line for the F-22 as it did.
A-10 vs. YA-9: The Fight for the Perfect Close-Air Support Plane
The Air Force’s decision to award the contract to Fairchild Republic—which went on to build the A-10 Warthog—proved to be one of the greatest decisions Pentagon acquisitions experts have ever...
What You Don’t Know About the Defense Industrial Base
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, along with increased tensions in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, has generated many debates. Debates about the stability of the international order, the...
Could Antitrust Legislation Threaten National Security?
Here’s what you need to know: There is a real danger in allowing the FTC to set the kinds of limits on vertical mergers that it is seeking in the case...
The U.S. Military is Under Attack From Antitrust Legislation
Key point: Are giant defense companies really a bad thing? Or is the efficiency and expertise they provide vital to U.S. national security? The defense and aerospace sector is in the...
How Antitrust Legislation Is Attacking the U.S. Military
Here’s What You Need to Know: The FTC’s tendency to presume harm even where none can be proven constitutes a national security threat. The defense and aerospace sector is in the...
How Misguided Antitrust Concerns Pose A Threat To The Nation’s Security And Health
The defense and aerospace sector is in the midst of overlapping structural and technological revolutions. The Department of Defense (DoD), with strong Congressional support, is pushing defense companies to be...
Donald Trump Was Right To Call Out Defense Industry Influence On The Pentagon
President Donald Trump’s recent remarks that top Pentagon officials continue to push for war because they want to keep defense contractors “happy” has drawn a firestorm of criticism by those...
Trouble: The Marines Won’t Get Their CH-53K LOC Helicopter Until 2021 Due to Multiple Design Deficiencies
Flight testing is ongoing with four engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft, three system development test articles and a ground test vehicle. The initial operational capability (IOC) date of the...
Qatar Is Getting New 6 F-15QAs Starting in March 2021
The F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) introduces a number of previously announced features, including an advanced cockpit system with a large format display, says Steve Parker, Boeing’s vice-president of F-15 programmes. Qatar...