AIA’s Melcher Hopes Hill Has ‘Moral Courage’ To Fund DoD & Rest Of Budget

AIA’s Melcher Hopes Hill Has ‘Moral Courage’ To Fund DoD & Rest Of Budget
AIA’s Melcher Hopes Hill Has ‘Moral Courage’ To Fund DoD & Rest Of Budget

WASHINGTON: The federal government needs to spend more money on civilian agencies like the State Department, NASA, and the FAA, not just defense, the aerospace industry’s top lobbyist said today, but there’s no reasoning with a portion of Congress that wants cuts at any cost. “There’s a part of Congress that’s suspicious of everything,” said…

For AIA, ‘America First’ Means First In Capabilities & Sales

For AIA, ‘America First’ Means First In Capabilities & Sales
For AIA, ‘America First’ Means First In Capabilities & Sales

PARIS AIR SHOW: As much as I tried to give David Melcher slack to say the powerful Aerospace Industries Association he leads was finding it more difficult to do business under the chaotic and oft-bewildering Trump administration, he kept saying things were pretty well in hand. “The first year of an administration is certainly more…

Donald Trump Needs A ‘Bigger Stick,’ So Up Defense $: Thornberry

Donald Trump Needs A ‘Bigger Stick,’ So Up Defense $: Thornberry
Donald Trump Needs A ‘Bigger Stick,’ So Up Defense $: Thornberry

WASHINGTON: The odds keep getting better that Donald Trump will ask for a big boost to defense spending in a supplemental request soon after his inauguration. But who gets how much for what? That raises a whole host of unanswered questions, experts and policymakers made clear today at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.…

New AIA Prez Melcher Sets Big 2016 Goals: Bucks, Bombers & Beyond

New AIA Prez Melcher Sets Big 2016 Goals: Bucks, Bombers & Beyond
New AIA Prez Melcher Sets Big 2016 Goals: Bucks, Bombers & Beyond

WASHINGTON: “I’m optimistic,” said the new president of the powerful Aerospace Industries Association, David Melcher, looking ahead to 2016. That statement in itself is a departure from the often dire warnings of his predecessor, long-time AIA president (and former Breaking Defense contributor) Marion Blakey. “Who would have thought four months ago that Ex-Im bank would be reauthorized?”…

Whoa, Lockheed & Co.! Kendall Urges Congress To Protect Innovation

Whoa, Lockheed & Co.! Kendall Urges Congress To Protect Innovation
Whoa, Lockheed & Co.! Kendall Urges Congress To Protect Innovation

WASHINGTON: The Defense Department has told its big industry partners for most of the last 15 years that there’s no need for consolidation at the top. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman are big enough, they said. Mergers of prime contractors would limit competition, Ash Carter, Frank Kendall and other…

Defense Execs Predict Production Halts If Fed Shutdown Stretches To Mid Month

Defense Execs Predict Production Halts If Fed Shutdown Stretches To Mid Month
Defense Execs Predict Production Halts If Fed Shutdown Stretches To Mid Month

WASHINGTON: The federal government shutdown won’t hurt much this week but after two to three weeks, contracts won’t get paid or issued, testing won’t get done. and production of major weapons systems may be disrupted or halted. That was the consensus of several senior defense executives, including Exelis CEO David Melcher, at a gathering held here…