Don’t Dis Commercial, Wes.

EnergySource
Nov 14, 2024

Europe’s new industrial plan faces formidable obstacles

By
Andrei Covatariu

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised to put forth in her second term a new Clean Industrial Deal to mobilize investment in infrastructure and industry, and reduce dependence on energy imports. But energy supply challenges and geopolitical hurdles risk undermining plans to restore Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

Defense Industry
Energy & Environment

Don’t Dis Commercial, Wes.

New Atlanticist
Oct 30, 2024

In defense of Draghi’s defense idea: Three models for a centralized defense procurer for the EU

By
Thomas Goldstein

Only a European defense procurer can provide the institutional reform to overcome intra- and intergovernmental paralysis and invest at scale.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Don’t Dis Commercial, Wes.

New Atlanticist
Oct 28, 2024

The US needs a stronger defense industrial base. Option contracts can help.

By
Michael Hogan

The US government would pay a premium on current orders, but it would then have the option to purchase a larger amount within a fixed timeframe.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Content

Defense Industrialist

May 27, 2015

Don’t Dis Commercial, Wes.

By James Hasik

Even broadly available technologies are not equally well exploited by all powers. At a speech on Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush urged the US Defense Department to temper its enthusiasm for commercial technologies. As Politico Pro reported, Bush observed that the wonders of commercial markets notwithstanding, […]

Defense Industry Security & Defense

Defense Industrialist

May 22, 2015

BRAC for Better Business

By James Hasik

The Pentagon needs a comprehensive rethinking of its public and private industrial support. The US Congress isn’t allowing another Base Realignment and Closure process (BRAC). People at the Pentagon aren’t even supposed to think about it, at least not on the job. But at least the House version of the 2016 authorization bill does require yet another […]

Defense Industry Security & Defense

In the News

May 15, 2015

Grundman on Pentagon Outreach to Silicon Valley

By Steven Grundman

M.A. and George Lund Fellow for Emerging Defense Challenges Steven Grundman speaks with Federal News Radio on the Department of Defense’s outreach efforts to Silicon Valley: Listen to the broadcast here.

Defense Industry Security & Defense

In the News

May 11, 2015

Ullman: A Dear John (McCain) Letter

By Harlan Ullman

Atlantic Council Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes an open letter to John McCain for Defense News on the importance of reducing cost growth in the Department of Defense and the US military:

Defense Industry Security & Defense

Defense Industrialist

May 8, 2015

Strengthening and Defending Ukraine

By Blake Franko

How reforming an arms industry can save a country Ukraine currently finds itself struggling against separatists in the East, but the solution to this problem might not rest in foreign aid and weapons. The Ukrainian military industrial complex has been a significant player in the country’s economy and can help to supply Kiev’s own defensive […]

Defense Industry Saudi Arabia

Defense Industrialist

May 4, 2015

The Pentagon’s Offset Strategy Needs A Big Idea

By Steven Grundman

The reflex to gain military leverage from yet another technological revolution is misguided. It seems clear what is foremost for Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work these days. At the Pentagon’s April 9 press conference endorsing “Better Buying Power 3.0,” Work said the impetus for his new “offset strategy” is an urgent concern about “a steady erosion of our […]

Defense Industry Security & Defense

Defense Industrialist

Apr 29, 2015

Skip a generation of strike fighters? Maybe, Ray.

By James Hasik

Whatever happens with the F-18E or F-35C, the US Navy needs a carrier-based drone now. Earlier this year, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said that he believed that the F/A-XX, the Navy’s planned eventual follow-on to the F-35C, would be “optionally manned“. On 15 April at the Sea-Air-Space conference, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus leaned further […]

China Defense Industry

Defense Industrialist

Apr 24, 2015

The Global Arms Trade: “Hyundaisation” Threat from New Suppliers?

By Richard Bitzinger

The concern is overblown, and traditional arms exporters in the US and Europe will continue to dominate the global arms trade for some time. A RECENT article in the Wall Street Journal (“The ‘Hyundaization’ of the Global Arms Industry,” April 5, 2015) puts forth a provocative argument, namely that “new defence exporters are joining the […]

Defense Industry Israel

Defense Industrialist

Apr 22, 2015

Bomber Command

By James Hasik

The USAF’s consolidation of heavy bombers in one formation may spur productive intra-service rivalry, and new roles for long-range aircraft. The US Air Force announced this week that it will be consolidating all its heavy bombers in its Global Strike Command. This realignment will be culturally significant, as it will provide a single organizational home to all big bomber crews, including […]

China Defense Industry

Corporate Strategy Forum

Apr 3, 2015

Rafales, Not Rules

By James Hasik

While Foggy Bottom and the Pentagon and the White House make policy, the Élysée Palace makes sales. King Abdullah wants drones, and 23 US congressmen want to loan Jordan some American Predators for the duration of the war. The Emirates want drones, and my colleague Bilal Saab told the Beirut Daily Star that industry there is getting quite capable making […]

Defense Industry France
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Experts

Fellow

Steven Grundman

Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Adam Hammer

Nonresident Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Thomas X. Hammes

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict Defense Industry

Millennium fellow

Jamechia Hoyle

Senior Consultant, LMI

Millennium Leadership Program

Coronavirus Crisis Management

Millennium fellow

Jessie Ilkson

Director, Government Affairs, General Atomics

Millennium Leadership Program

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Fellow

Mark Jacobsen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Entrepreneurship
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Events

Public Event Thu, July 24, 2025 • 4:15 pm ET

SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley on mission integration in the defense ecosystem

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley discusses the role of mission integrators in today's defense industrial base and the future of the US defense ecosystem.

Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies Security & Defense