The ongoing coronavirus crisis, coupled with a host of negative long-term trends and politically charged flash points such as foreign weapons sales, have created a daunting, high-stakes challenge for the Biden administration and its new leadership team at the Pentagon.
U.S. “defense is predicated on a vibrant and productive defense industrial base,” said retired Air Force Gen. Herbert “Hawk” J. Carlisle, now the president and CEO of NDIA. “That base is facing multiple headwinds in its efforts to keep American and allied warfighters advantaged in all domains of conflict.”
The challenges, he added “include but are not limited to intense industrial security threats highlighted by the recent SolarWinds hack attributed to Russia, along with myriad breaches attributed to China; expected flat [defense] budgets going forward; decreased investments in the basic science that fuels U.S. innovation; skilled, cleared workforce shortages; and increased regulatory burdens and barrie
Austin fired all members serving on DOD advisory boards and also ordered “the immediate suspension of all advisory committee operations until the review is completed,” effective Feb. 16. The boards are on hold while the Pentagon completes a “zero-based review” of at least 42 defense advisory committees, according to a Jan. 30 memo.
ADVERTISEMENT
The review includes the more visible Defense Policy Board, Defense Science Board and Defense Business Board, as well as former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller’s four choices to serve on the congressionally mandated commission tasked with renaming Confederate-named military bases, a senior Defense official told reporters.
Austin’s message: “Advisory committees have and will continue to provide an important role in shaping public policy within DoD. That said, our stewardship responsibilities require that we continually assess to ensure each advisory committee provides appropriate value today and in the future, a
UGS expands relationship with leading provider of innovative dental equipment
Planmeca cabinetry and operatory products now available
News provided by
Share this article
Share this article
CONCORD, Mass. and LAKEVILLE, Minn., Feb. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Unimed Government Services (UGS), a leading provider of supply chain solutions for government, schools, public health organizations and the private sector, announced today that it has expanded the variety of dental solutions they offer through their partnership with Planmeca. UGS provides the top dental products utilizing state-of-the-art technologies for facilities across the United States. Planmeca is the largest privately held dental equipment manufacturer, delivering innovative products providing superior value to healthcare professionals in over 120 countries.
Industry Group Gives Defense Contractors ‘C’ Health Grade in Annual Report Titima Ongkantong/Shutterstock.com
email February 3, 2021
The report found weak industrial security scores driven by increases in cyber vulnerabilities negatively impacted the health of the defense industrial base in 2020.
The defense industrial base faced an uptick in cyber vulnerabilities in 2020, contributing to a slight decline overall in the health of the defense contracting community, according to a new report from the National Defense Industrial Association.
In its annual “Vital Signs” report, NDIA and data company Govini found defense contractors entered the coronavirus pandemic in a “weakened state,” and around 71% of companies surveyed reported the pandemic negatively affected business. Data included in the report comes from before the onset of the pandemic, while survey responses were gathered in August 2020. The report gave the health of the ba
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
2/2/2021
iStock illustration
This is part two of a five-part special report on the health of the U.S. defense industrial base.
The National Defense Industrial Association’s second annual Vital Signs report on the health of the U.S. defense industrial base was released Feb. 2. To download a copy, please click HERE.
The defense industry could be on the cusp of further consolidation as contractors look to bolster their business portfolios and access to innovation through mergers and acquisitions, analysts say.
M&A has been a long-term trend since the end of the Cold War and the 1993 “Last Supper” when then-Deputy Defense Secretary William Perry encouraged consolidation among contractors to achieve efficiencies in an era of significantly reduced military expenditures.