SAN DIEGO – For greater than 30 years, Common Atomics Aeronautical Programs, Inc. (GA-ASI) has invented, innovated and delivered disruptive new protection applied sciences in help of the US and its allies, redefining the way forward for international safety within the course of. This place because the world chief in unmanned aerial programs provides us distinctive insights into the coverage and regulatory challenges America faces when adopting revolutionary new capabilities and applied sciences.
We stay a vocal advocate for reform inside the U.S. protection acquisition system and help current requires concepts and engagement on the subject. To additional this dialogue, GA-ASI lately submitted a letter to the brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) outlining a number of steps we imagine to be instrumental in reformation efforts.
A duplicate of that letter is offered under, to generate further public dialogue on the present state of operations and the trail ahead.
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24 January 2025
Pricey Mr. Musk,
That is an thrilling time in Washington, DC and throughout the nation. Common Atomics Aeronautical Programs (GA-ASI), the chief in unmanned aerial programs, is keen to work with the DOGE on the vital activity of reforming protection acquisition to reinforce its effectivity and contribution to nationwide safety. GA-ASI, an trade upstart and disruptor, led the world within the design and growth of unmanned aerial autos, and touched off a revolution in army affairs. All of this was achieved regardless of important friction and resistance from the institution. We proceed to really feel this resistance as we search to interrupt new floor with applied sciences that can make sure the U.S. and allied forces preserve a decisive operational edge in an more and more harmful world.
We suggest to use our a long time of expertise with protection acquisition to deal with the insurance policies, procedures, and organizational oddities that hinder well timed supply of important capabilities to warfighters. Inside GA-ASI’s personal export market, poor US Authorities (USG) coverage and sluggish bureaucratic decision-making has opened the door for opponents like China, Turkey, and Israel to win vital worldwide clients. Gross sales misplaced to those opponents whereas we waited on some USG motion means much less funding obtainable for re-investment into R&D and modernized manufacturing infrastructure.
Daring management is required. Previous reform efforts, typically supervised by the very organizations most in want of reform, have failed. DOGE has the potential to drive significant change, and we’re prepared to assist the place we will.
As you seek for efficiencies inside the USG’s protection acquisition system, let me flag a couple of areas that deserve particular consideration. We will present extra detailed descriptions and proposals upon request.
- Delays: Use obtainable authorities to expedite acquisitions, prioritizing warfighter wants over obsession with course of. Particular guidelines and processes exist to hurry acquisition. However they aren’t used regularly sufficient and are sometimes modified over time to evolve with normal, slower processes. The USG may speed up bigger system acquisitions just by setting cut-off dates on DoD milestones to make sure that the interval between “necessities definition” and “preliminary working functionality” (IOC) doesn’t exceed 5 years.
- Buck-passing: Set up accountability inside the U.S. International Navy Gross sales (FMS) system, by which execution is fragmented throughout the Division of State, a number of DoD businesses, and the army providers, with none of them capable of direct the others. No one is in the end accountable for reaching or failing to attain the administration’s strategic aims associated to promoting protection articles to allies. Accountability might be achieved by way of clear traces of authority and accountability, cut-off dates for decision-making, and a contemporary IT system to trace the distribution and expenditure of billions of {dollars} (solely funded by international clients) within the US FMS administrative fund account.
- Self-shackling: Reform the U.S. interpretation of the Missile Expertise Management Regime (MTCR) to concentrate on missile expertise tied to weapons of mass destruction somewhat than UAS. At this time, the antiquated MTCR interpretation ties the USG’s palms even on easy export applications which take pleasure in bipartisan help. We must always counter the unfair market benefits gained by international suppliers not topic to self-imposed MTCR limitations. Additional, we should objectively steadiness the prioritization of expertise safety with that of arming allies and companions (utilizing their very own cash!) for future conflicts and elevated burden-sharing.
We sit up for collaborating with you in your vital new function.
Sincerely,
Linden Blue
Chief Government Officer
Common Atomics Aeronautical Programs Inc.
About GA-ASI
Common Atomics Aeronautical Programs, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of Common Atomics, is a number one designer and producer of confirmed, dependable RPA programs, radars, and electro-optic and associated mission programs, together with the Predator® RPA collection and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With greater than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI gives long-endurance, mission-capable plane with built-in sensor and information hyperlink programs required to ship persistent situational consciousness. The corporate additionally produces a wide range of sensor management/picture evaluation software program, provides pilot coaching and help providers, and develops meta-material antennas.
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