Military weapons programs often are justified on grounds that the nation must protect its industrial base. But the industry has consolidated into a handful of giant firms, so program cancellations these days don’t necessarily harm companies, contends Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
“Most of these companies have multiple programs with us,” he said in reference to his recent decision to terminate a handful of big-ticket weapon systems. What really helps companies, he said, is to get larger orders so they can produce hardware more efficiently. The Pentagon needs to stop buying “exquisite” technology that does not meet real military needs in favor of larger quantities of critical items. That was the reasoning behind Gates’ endorsement of a large buy of F-35 aircraft, Littoral Combat Ships and Reaper armed drones.
