Reserve Officers Association

Maintain and Protect the United States Defense Industrial Base
Resolution No. 10-01

WHEREAS, the defense industrial base continues to be an important and vital component of U.S. military and economic superiority by providing the U.S. warfighter and taxpayer with new, unique and cutting edge defense and aerospace technology and manufacturing capabilities that serve to, among other things, deter potential adversaries; and,

WHEREAS, the United States has unique requirements as a military and economic superpower to be able to develop, build and maintain the industrial base for power projection capabilities such a strategic airlift, sealift, tactical fighter aircraft, space and missile propulsion, satellites, directed energy weapons, long range strike aircraft, as well as other technologies, platforms, and weapons systems; and,

WHEREAS, the U.S. currently has only one large strategic airlift production line that is scheduled for termination; only one single new tactical aircraft production line with other lines scheduled for termination; no new long range strike/bomber production line; limited opportunities for missile/rocket propulsion production for canceled and/or curtailed missile defense/civil space programs; limited opportunities for laser/directed energy weapons development/procurement; as well as other limited opportunities for continued/future defense procurement as a result of declining defense budgets; and,

WHEREAS, the defense industrial base, including skilled workers, engineers, and precision tooling cannot be easily or inexpensively reconstituted once lost in order to address emerging or unforeseen threats in a timely and effective manner;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, chartered by Congress, urge the Congress, the President, and the Department of Defense to carefully consider the implications to the defense industrial base of all future major budget and program decisions and take immediate steps to protect important, vital, and unique military equipment productions lines, such as strategic airlift and tactical fighter aircraft, to ensure a robust military industrial base for the future.

Approved by the National Convention, 10 February 2010
Submitted by National Headquarters Staff

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