Dec 6,
The Defense Industrial Base at Risk

The continued development of next generation military systems is not a luxury but rather, an essential requirement for the worldwide projection of U.S. power. With increasing budget pressures, the Department of Defense has greatly curtailed new program development and procurement. Industry-wide cutbacks are evident: at present the U.S. maintains just one new tactical jet aircraft program, recently threatened closure of the only military-wide body transport aircraft line, and terminated a new bomber program. Against this backdrop, questions persist regarding the industry's ability to maintain the adequate force of design engineers and assembly line workers who are essential to sustaining the defense industrial base. On Dec. 6, the Reserve Officers Association and the Woodrow Wilson Center hosted Representatives from Congress along with industry and policy experts as they addressed these and other issues surrounding the state of the defense industrial base.

 Podcast on This Topic

 Warfighter Perspective: Lt. Gen. Michael Dunn (Ret.)

 Congressional Perspective: Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA, HAC-D)

 Policy Panel

 Industry Panel