NATO hosts Icelandic exercise to monitor vital north Atlantic passage

On the same subject

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  February 16, 2022 | International, Aerospace

  Lockheed Martin says its effort to acquire Aerojet is over

  Although Lockheed pledged to keep allowing Aerojet to sell propulsion equipment to other firms, the FTC expressed its doubts in its complaint.

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  July 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 23, 2020

  AIR FORCE BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a $495,482,136 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Instrumentation Range Support Program. This contract provides for serviceable components and subsystems for instrumentation tracking systems, worldwide for both foreign and domestic government agencies to include radars, telemetry and optical range mission systems, flight termination systems, data acquisition systems and Global Positioning Systems. Work will be performed on participating ranges in the program, including Air Force, Army, Navy, NASA, Department of Energy, as well as foreign ranges in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Republic of Korea and Switzerland. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $116,235 are being obligated on a delivery order at the time of award. This contract has a ceiling amount of $945,234,462. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2521-20-D-0005). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri (FA8694-20-D-0400); General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California (FA8694-20-D-0600); Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (FA8694-20-D-0700); and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Palmdale, California (FA8694-20-D-0900), have each been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with a shared ceiling of $400,000,000 for all subsequent competitively selected delivery orders in support of the Skyborg Vanguard Program. Skyborg is an autonomous attritable aircraft capable of achieving a diverse set of missions to generate massed combat power; delivering a future Air Force which can deter, blunt and defeat peer adversaries. The Skyborg prototyping, experimentation and autonomy development contract will be used to deliver missionized prototypes in support of operational experimentation and develop the first Skyborg air platform with modular hardware and software payloads that will incorporate the Skyborg autonomy core system and enable manned/unmanned teaming. The locations of performance are to be determined at the order level and are expected to be completed by July 2026. These awards are being made as a result of a competitive acquisition and 18 offers were received. No funds are obligated on the awards and funding will be provided on each individual order. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia, has been awarded an $89,615,577 multiple-year firm-fixed-price contract action to sustain existing infrastructures and establish new cloud common infrastructure and services for Air Force enterprise resource planning: Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay System, Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System, and maintenance, repair and overhaul initiative. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Alabama; Randolph AFB, Texas; and other locations as required. Work is expected to be completed by July 31, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 28 offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,000,000; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,750,340 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Maxwell AFB – Gunter Annex, Alabama, is the contracting activity (FA8771-20-C-0014). Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc., Shalimar, Florida, has been awarded a $43,099,833 firm-fixed-price contract for command and control contract academic training, courseware development and distance learning training program. This contract provides services for training support/mission system interface and staff support services to the Control and Reporting Center, Battle Control Center, Air Operations Center and Tactical Air Control Party missions at various locations. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $43,099,834. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. This award is a result of a 100% small business set-aside competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $943,015 are being obligated at time of award for the phase-in period. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-20-C-0013). ARMY SRC Inc., North Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $425,870,432 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract for development, production, deployment and support of the Expeditionary-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (E-LIDS). Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 26, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-20-D-0032). Addon Services LLC,* Warren, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L007); A&H-Ambica JV LLC,* Livonia, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L008); Angels General Construction Inc.,* Detroit, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L009); Custom Mechanical Systems Corp.,* Bargersville, Indiana (W56HZV-20-D-L010); Erie Affiliates Inc.,* Wickliffe, Ohio (W56HZV-20-D-L011); Expo Technologies LLC,* Pontiac, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L012); F.H. Martin Construction Co.,* Warren, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L013); Genoa Contracting LLC,* Saint Clair Shores, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L014); McGahey Construction LLC,* Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L015); Nisou LGC JV LLC,* Detroit, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L016); Pontiac Drywall Systems,* Pontiac, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L017); Q.B.S. Inc.,* Alliance, Ohio (W56HZV-20-D-L018); RB Construction Co.,* Mount Clemens, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L019); and Wolverine Fire Protection Co.,* Mount Morris, Michigan (W56HZV-20-D-L020), will compete for each order of the $92,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction support on Detroit Arsenal and surrounding locations. Bids were solicited via the internet with 17 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 2, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. AHI, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $73,999,755 modification (PZ0014) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0007 for 15 UH-72 D-2 production aircraft and options to procure three additional D-2 production aircraft, 18 jettisonable cockpit doors, 14 engine inlet barrier filters and 14 environmental control units. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $73,999,755 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Barlovento LLC, Dothan, Alabama, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to support the advanced contract initiative for emergency temporary roof repairs for the Gulf Coast of the continental U.S. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-20-D-0043). Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $19,511,833 firm-fixed-price contract for overhaul and repair of the tail rotor blade with pitch horn replacement for UH60 Blackhawk aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 23, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-F-0473). Indtai Inc.,* Vienna, Virginia, was awarded a $9,598,566 firm-fixed-price contract for educational support services in support of the U.S. Army Continuing Education System. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 27, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $8,487,090 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9124J-20-C-0012). Modern Technology Solutions Inc.,* Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded an $8,613,292 modification (P00023) to contract W9133L-16-F-0027 for continued modernization and engineering services for the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of July 26, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operational test and evaluation, defense funds in the amount of $8,613,292 were obligated at the time of the award. National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. NAVY Alexandria Technical and Community College, Alexandria, Minnesota (N00189-20-D-Z800); Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z801); Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (N00189-20-D-Z802); Ashford University, San Diego, California (N00189-20-D-Z803); Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota (N00189-20-D-Z804); Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z805); Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z806); Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, Wisconsin (N00189-20-D-Z807); Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z808); Brandman University, Irvine, California (N00189-20-D-Z809); Bristol Community College, Fall River, Massachusetts (N00189-20-D-Z810); California University of Pennsylvania, California, Pennsylvania (N00189-20-D-Z811); Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, North Carolina (N00189-20-D-Z812); Capitol Technology University, Laurel, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z813); Cecil College, North East, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z814); Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, Georgia (N00189-20-D-Z815); Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan (N00189-20-D-Z816); Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas (N00189-20-D-Z817); Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z818); Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania (N00189-20-D-Z819); Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z820); Coastline College, Fountain Valley, California (N00189-20-D-Z821); Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, Colorado (N00189-20-D-Z822); Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri (N00189-20-D-Z823); Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Alabama (N00189-20-D-Z824); Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z825); Dakota College at Bottineau, Bottineau, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z826); Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z827); Delaware Technical Community College, Dover, Delaware (N00189-20-D-Z828); Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa (N00189-20-D-Z829); East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina (N00189-20-D-Z830); Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z831); Excelsior College, Albany, New York (N00189-20-D-Z832); Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, New York (N00189-20-D-Z833); Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z834); Frederick Community College, Frederick, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z835); George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z836); Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (N00189-20-D-Z837); Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, Iowa (N00189-20-D-Z838); Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana (N00189-20-D-Z839); Jackson College, Jackson, Michigan (N00189-20-D-Z840); Jefferson Community and Technical College, Louisville, Kentucky (N00189-20-D-Z841); Kent State University, College of Applied and Technical Studies, Kent, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z842); Lake Area Technical College, Watertown, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z843); Lake Region State College, Devils Lake, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z844); Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota (N00189-20-D-Z845); Macomb Community College, Warren, Michigan (N00189-20-D-Z846); Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin (N00189-20-D-Z847); Minerva Schools Keck Graduate Institute, San Francisco, California (N00189-20-D-Z848); Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota (N00189-20-D-Z849); Mississippi Community College Board, Jackson, Mississippi (N00189-20-D-Z850); Monroe Community College, Rochester, New York (N00189-20-D-Z851); Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z852); North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z853); North Dakota University System, Bismarck, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z854); Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar, Iowa (N00189-20-D-Z855); Northeastern Technical College, Cheraw, South Carolina (N00189-20-D-Z856); Northeastern University-College of Professional Studies, Boston, Massachusetts (N00189-20-D-Z857); Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, Massachusetts (N00189-20-D-Z858); Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z859); Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z860); Northwest Technical College, Bemidji, Minnesota (N00189-20-D-Z861); Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan (N00189-20-D-Z862); Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont (N00189-20-D-Z863); Ocean County College, Toms River, New Jersey (N00189-20-D-Z864); Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (N00189-20-D-Z865); Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z866); Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, Oregon (N00189-20-D-Z867); Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (N00189-20-D-Z868); Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas (N00189-20-D-Z869); Park University, Parkville, Missouri (N00189-20-D-Z870); Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois (N00189-20-D-Z871); Prince George's Community College, Largo, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z872); Purdue University Global, Indianapolis, Indiana (N00189-20-D-Z873); Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Massachusetts (N00189-20-D-Z874); Rio Salado College, Tempe, Arizona (N00189-20-D-Z875); Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z876); San Diego Community College District, San Diego, California (N00189-20-D-Z877); San Diego State University, San Diego, California (N00189-20-D-Z878); San Jacinto Community College District, La Porte, Texas (N00189-20-D-Z879); San Juan College, Farmington, New Mexico (N00189-20-D-Z880); Savannah Technical College, Savannah, Georgia (N00189-20-D-Z881); Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z882); Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z883); South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z884); South Florida State College, Avon Park, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z885); South Orange County Community College District doing business as Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California (N00189-20-D-Z886); Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire (N00189-20-D-Z887); Stark State College of Technology, North Canton, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z888); State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration, Albany, New York (N00189-20-D-Z889); Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York (N00189-20-D-Z890); Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z891); Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (N00189-20-D-Z892); The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (N00189-20-D-Z893); The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z894); The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z895); Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, New Jersey (N00189-20-D-Z896); Trident Technical College, Charleston, South Carolina (N00189-20-D-Z897); University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, New York (N00189-20-D-Z898); University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Arkansas (N00189-20-D-Z899); University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (N00189-20-D-Z900); University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z901); University of Charleston, Charleston, West Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z902); University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (N00189-20-D-Z903); University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (N00189-20-D-Z904); University of Hawaii Community College System, Honolulu, Hawaii (N00189-20-D-Z905); University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z906); University of Maryland Global Campus, Adelphi, Maryland (N00189-20-D-Z907); University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z908); Villanova University-College of Professional Studies, Villanova, Pennsylvania (N00189-20-D-Z909); Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z910); Virginia Community College System, Richmond, Virginia (N00189-20-D-Z911); Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa (N00189-20-D-Z912); Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, Alabama (N00189-20-D-Z913); Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri (N00189-20-D-Z914); Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah (N00189-20-D-Z915); White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire (N00189-20-D-Z916); Williston State College, Williston, North Dakota (N00189-20-D-Z917); and Wilmington University, Dover, Delaware (N00189-20-D-Z918), are awarded $147,050,000 in multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to provide educational services to the entire enlisted workforce and to establish the U.S. Naval Community College in support of the Office of the Chief Learning Officer. The contracts will run concurrently with no option period. The ordering period of the contracts is anticipated to begin August 2020, and is expected to be completed by July 2025. Work will be performed at various locations across 37 states and the District of Columbia. The percentage of work at each of the facilities cannot be determined at this time. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $59,500 will be obligated ($500 on each of the 119 contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts), and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The funding for task orders to be issued under these contracts will come from a variety of sources and will be consistent with the purpose for which the funds were appropriated. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation posted through beta.SAM.gov and 245 offers were received. The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Wu and Associates Inc.,* Mt. Laurel, New Jersey (N62473-20-D-1103); Macro Z Technology,* Santa Ana, California (N62473-20-D-1104); Corbara MGS JV,* National City, California (N62473-20-D-1105); Pacific West Builders,* Simi Valley, California (N62473-20-D-1106); Ahtna-CDM JV,* Irvine, California (N62473-20-D-1107); Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California (N62473-20-D-1108); Dimensions Construction Inc.,* San Diego, California (N62473-20-D-1112); and I. E. Pacific Inc.,* Escondido, California (N62473-20-D-1120), are awarded a $99,999,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation and repair by design-build or design-bid-build of general construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility in California. The maximum dollar value including one two-year base period and one three-year option period for all eight contracts combined is $99,999,000. Wu and Associates Inc. is being awarded an initial task order at $633,000 to design and construct repairs for Building 16139, Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California. All work on these contracts will be performed at various government installations located in California. The work to be performed provides for new construction, renovation and repair within the North American Industry Classification System (Code 236220). The various types of construction projects may include, but are not limited to, administration buildings; academic and applied instruction training facilities; maintenance/repair facilities; military operations facilities; aircraft hangars; fire stations; office buildings; laboratories; dining facilities; related structures; and other similar facilities located in California. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by July 2021. The terms of the contracts are not to exceed 60 months and work is expected to be completed by July 2025. Fiscal 2020 Navy working capital funds; and operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $668,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); Navy working capital funds; O&M, N; and O&M, Marine Corps. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and 36 proposals were received. These eight contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, is awarded an $11,179,001 cost reimbursement contract for the development of a next-generation, high-intake, compact, defined excitation bathyphotometer sensor for natural oceanic bioluminescence assessments. Work will be performed in Boca Raton, Florida, and is expected to be completed by July 2025. The total cumulative value of this contract, including a 48-month base period and one 12-month option year, is $11,179,001. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,179,001 are obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-20-S-B001, “Long Range broad agency announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology.” Since proposals are received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014-20-C-2035). DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY SRI International, Menlo Park, California, was awarded a $10,991,741 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for a research project under the Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) program. The SemaFor program will develop technologies to automatically detect, attribute and characterize falsified, multi-modal media assets (e.g., text, audio, image, video) to defend against large-scale, automated disinformation attacks. Work will be performed in Menlo Park, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Buffalo, New York; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of July 2024. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,713,323 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition under an open broad agency announcement and 37 offers were received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-20-C-0124). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc., Los Angeles, California, has been awarded a maximum $8,125,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for grip assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The initial delivery order (SPRDL1-20-F-0297) for $225,000 will be issued at the same time as the contract. Location of performance California, with a July 20, 2025, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-D-0108). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2286392/source/GovDelivery/

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  April 27, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Six ways the US can maximize its strategic benefit from defense spending

  By: Thomas G. Mahnken The massive price tag associated with the response to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, coupled with the inevitable impact of the pandemic on the U.S. economy, threatens to blow a hole in the defense budget at a time when the challenges posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea show no signs of abating. Leaders in both the executive and legislative branches will need to make tough strategic choices to keep the United States strong in these challenging times. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, his predecessor Jim Mattis and the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission all agree that annual increases in the defense budget on the order of 3-5 percent are required to implement the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Even absent the pandemic, the chances of getting such resources seemed uncertain at best. The Trump administration's own budget projections show the defense budget in the coming years as flat or declining. Now, a flat budget more and more appears to be the rosiest scenario. More worrisome, and increasingly likely, is the possibility of major cuts to the defense budget. Indeed, cuts on the order of 20-25 percent are not unthinkable. Merely pointing out that such a move would jeopardize U.S. security is unlikely to prevent it. Similarly, noting — correctly — that defense spending is one of the most stimulative forms of federal spending may prove insufficient to forestall cuts. How can the United States realize the greatest economic and military benefit from the defense budget in the coming years? Below are a half-dozen guidelines to help the United States get the maximum strategic benefit from defense spending in this challenging time: 1. Keep production lines going. Now is not the time to be cutting back on defense production. To the contrary, keeping existing weapons production lines active makes both military and economic sense. The U.S. military is in many ways still living off the Reagan-era defense buildup of the 1980s and is sorely in need of modernization. Keeping defense production going also makes good economic sense. In a period of rising unemployment, employing as many Americans as possible will help the United States weather the economic storm brought on by COVID-19. The government should also be flexible in administering the cost and schedule of contracts, given the pandemic's impact on the defense-industrial base. 2. Stock up. Now is also the time to increase orders of things we know that we need but have not purchased enough of, such as munitions. As the NDS Commission found in 2018, the United States has under-invested in precision munitions such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile. Ramping up production of munitions and other expendables will not only boost employment but also help the United States better prepare for a future conflict where such munitions will be in high demand. 3. Be selective in divesting. The United States should also divest itself of aging capabilities but be thoughtful in doing so. It makes sense to retire old ships and aircraft because the cost of maintaining those systems goes up considerably as they age. It makes much less sense to divest relatively new systems that have plenty of life left in them. For example, the Air Force has proposed shutting down production of the MQ-9 Reaper and retiring more than two-thirds of its RQ-4 Global Hawk fleet. 4. Get the most out of what we have. Whereas economic conditions may have changed, the external threats that we face have not. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop new ways of war, particularly those that use more effective capabilities that we have. For example, as I have argued elsewhere, non-stealthy unmanned aerial systems such as the MQ-9 and RQ-4 offer a cost-effective way to deter opportunistic aggression by China in the Western Pacific or Russia in Eastern Europe. 5. Keep promoting innovation. A downturn in the defense budget should not become an excuse for conservatism. To the contrary, it should spur innovation. For example, fiscal austerity provides an opportunity to reform the military health care system and downsize basing infrastructure. Now is also the time to explore ways to make military training more effective and cost-efficient through the adoption of approaches such as live, virtual, constructive training. There are also opportunities to realize savings through greater outsourcing of maintenance and logistics. Whereas the defense primes employ the most workers, in a number of cases smaller companies have been the source of some of the most innovative approaches to defense in areas such as unmanned systems, expendable aircraft, space innovations, networked solutions and cyber. Supporting smaller, innovative companies should thus be a priority. The Defense Department and Congress should also take an active role in supporting key segments of the defense-industrial base. Areas such as hypersonics, directed energy and unmanned systems that hold the key to effectiveness tomorrow will need support today. 6. Share costs. Finally, the United States should take every opportunity to promote arms exports, which both create jobs and increase the security of our allies. Much more should be done to increase the speed and predictability of the arms export process. In addition, with few exceptions, U.S. weapons should be developed with export in mind. We should avoid a repetition of the case of the F-22 aircraft, which was designed from birth never to be exported. We need to learn from the past in developing the next generation of weapons. For example, in recent months, Australian defense analysts have discussed the attractiveness of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber for Australia's defense needs. Export of the B-21 to a close ally such as Australia, should Canberra so desire, should be given serious consideration. The current situation is challenging, with even more difficult times to come. If we are smart, however, we can both keep Americans at work and get what we need for national defense. Thomas G. Mahnken is president and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank. He is also a senior research professor at the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/24/six-ways-the-us-can-maximize-its-strategic-benefit-from-defense-spending/