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Defense and Aerospace

May 23, 2007

The Chairman’s Mark

A Q&A with House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.)

Forging a New Force

A Q&A with Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England

Dual Production Incentive for Quality

Corporate America is fond of reminding Congress that one of the great benefits of a free market system is competition; that competition works to the advantage of the consumer, except of course when competition threatens the comfort level of a company with a sole-source government contract.

JSF Will Be a ‘Vital Weapon’ in War on Terror

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will help usher in a new era in fighter capability, bringing revolutionary technologies to the battle space of the future. In the works for more than a decade now, the JSF will serve as a multi-role aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and our international partners. Its superior systems, stealth and firepower ensure the JSF will be the most affordable, lethal aircraft ever used. With three variants sharing 80 percent of their parts in production, the JSF will increase efficiency and continue the military’s modernization efforts.

Submarine Construction Is Necessary

America needs to build more submarines faster if we are to maintain naval supremacy in future decades. That is why I urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and accelerate the construction of Virginia class submarines.

High-Tech ‘Toolbox’ Crucial for Safety

Place yourself, for a moment, in the boots of a platoon leader preparing to enter a narrow, dusty street in a bad part of Baghdad. In all likelihood, this young lieutenant has been here before. But this time the streets are deserted, a sign that he and his platoon are in danger. He knows it is likely that an enemy sniper is sitting patiently somewhere along the street with his finger on the trigger of a high-powered rifle or the detonator of a 1,000-pound bomb newly buried under the sidewalk.

FCS Is Key to Army Modernization

Many military platforms have catchy names such as Raptor and Tomcat that sound more like school mascots than weapons systems. The Army, however, has selected the utilitarian title of Future Combat Systems for what is an innovative and exciting new program being tested by the soldiers of today to serve the soldiers of today and tomorrow.

U.S. Must Improve Technological Edge

The United States is the world leader in the realm of technological development in almost every aspect of society. After World War II, we devoted time and massive investments in research and development at both the private and public levels. This investment enabled us to leap ahead of our global competitors to assume a role of pre-eminence throughout the world.

Small Business Needs More Contracts

Our nation’s defense is a team effort. The men and women in the armed services rely not only on the support staff back home, but on contractors to deliver the equipment necessary to keep them safe in battle and accomplish their missions.