As Washington prepares to close down for the Christmas vacation, it’s time to look again to the previous yr and stay up for the subsequent. Sadly, many points that dominated this yr will possible dominate not less than the start of 2022, particularly because the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads quickly throughout the nation.
The virus has wreaked havoc on the worldwide provide chain, driving up prices and delaying weapons tasks. Over the previous yr, some tasks began recovering from 2020 COVID-related lockdowns, however the extremely contagious Omicron and its speedy unfold are positive to check the resiliency of U.S. manufacturing.
One other pandemic-related merchandise: vaccine mandates. With the Biden administration’s federal contractor vaccine mandate tied up within the courts, corporations together with Boeing and Huntington Ingalls Industries have suspended enforcement of the shortly approaching Jan. 18 deadline.
We’re almost one yr into the Biden administration and we nonetheless don’t know a lot about its protection acquisition coverage priorities. That’s as a result of almost the entire prime political positions within the Pentagon’s acquisition and sustainment workplace are vacant and stuffed by appearing officers. The administration has nominated Draper CEO Invoice LaPlante, who served because the Air Drive’s prime weapons purchaser in the course of the Obama administration, to be the Pentagon’s prime weapons purchaser.
It’s very a lot a getting-the-band-back-together second for former Obama administration acquisition officers—Frank Kendall, Heidi Shyu, LaPlante, and Andrew Hunter—assuming the Senate confirms everybody. Kendall (former prime weapons purchaser) is already Air Drive Secretary, Shyu (former Military acquisition govt) is undersecretary for analysis and improvement, and Hunter (former head of the Joint Fast Acquisition Cell) has been nominated to be Air Drive acquisition govt. The Senate simply wants to substantiate LaPlante, Hunter, and Doug Bush, who has been nominated to be the Military acquisition govt.
As soon as all of those officers are in place, we’ll possible higher perceive the Pentagon’s perspective on mergers and acquisitions throughout the protection sector. It was one yr in the past this week when Lockheed Martin introduced it will purchase Aerojet Rocketdyne. The deal was supposed to shut by the top of 2021, however Lockheed now says it received’t be performed till the primary quarter of 2022, amid an antitrust assessment.
Talking of the primary quarter, in February we should always see the Biden administration’s first complete price range proposal—one which takes into consideration suggestions from the Pentagon’s China-focused world posture assessment. One thing else to regulate is inflation, which is actually on the minds of Pentagon officers.
Among the many massive worldwide tales is the Australia, United Kingdom, United States pact that may result in Australia buying nuclear submarines. The U.S. has actually stepped up ties with Australia as a part of its counter-China efforts, so we’ll be trying to see how these ties strengthen within the coming yr.
Lastly, each Switzerland and Finland selected the F-35 over Boeing’s F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet and European fighter jets. The subsequent massive worldwide competitors is in Canada, the place the F-35 is competing towards the Saab Gripen.
We’ll discover the yr forward for weapon applications once we’re again in just a few weeks. Glad holidays to you and yours. Till we meet in 2022, keep secure and wholesome!
From Protection One
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The Area Drive’s $32M contract appears to be the form of award the Pentagon has not too long ago extolled.
Tomorrow’s distant army bases might be powered by a light-to-microwave tile that simply handed a key check.
“Suicide drones” are already tapped to fill numerous roles, however extra are wanted, and sooner.
First replace since 2012 provides guidelines for social-media habits.
We proceed our look-ahead to subsequent yr, that includes interviews with White Home Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan, Air Drive Secretary Frank Kendall, and extra.
Simply because drone warfare is much less harmful for American troopers doesn’t imply it’s more practical.