SAN DIEGO – For greater than 30 years, Common Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc. (GA-ASI) has invented, innovated and delivered disruptive new protection applied sciences in assist of the US and its allies, redefining the way forward for world safety within the course of. This place because the world chief in unmanned aerial techniques 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 assist current requires concepts and engagement on the subject. To additional this dialogue, GA-ASI not too long ago submitted a letter to the brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) outlining a number of steps we consider to be instrumental in reformation efforts.
A duplicate of that letter is supplied under, to generate extra 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 Techniques (GA-ASI), the chief in unmanned aerial techniques, is keen to work with the DOGE on the essential process 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 improvement of unmanned aerial automobiles, and touched off a revolution in navy affairs. All of this was completed regardless of vital friction and resistance from the institution. We proceed to really feel this resistance as we search to interrupt new floor with applied sciences that may make sure the U.S. and allied forces keep a decisive operational edge in an more and more harmful world.
We suggest to use our many years of expertise with protection acquisition to deal with the insurance policies, procedures, and organizational oddities that hinder well timed supply of essential 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 rivals like China, Turkey, and Israel to win essential worldwide prospects. Gross sales misplaced to those rivals whereas we waited on some USG motion means much less funding accessible for re-investment into R&D and modernized manufacturing infrastructure.
Daring management is required. Previous reform efforts, usually 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 just a few areas that deserve particular consideration. We will present extra detailed descriptions and proposals upon request.
- Delays: Use accessible 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 often sufficient and are sometimes modified over time to adapt with normal, slower processes. The USG might speed up bigger system acquisitions just by setting deadlines 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 Army Gross sales (FMS) system, during which execution is fragmented throughout the Division of State, a number of DoD businesses, and the navy companies, with none of them capable of direct the others. No one is finally accountable for attaining or failing to realize the administration’s strategic targets associated to promoting protection articles to allies. Accountability may be achieved by means of clear traces of authority and accountability, deadlines for decision-making, and a contemporary IT system to trace the distribution and expenditure of billions of {dollars} (completely funded by overseas prospects) within the US FMS administrative fund account.
- Self-shackling: Reform the U.S. interpretation of the Missile Know-how Management Regime (MTCR) to concentrate on missile know-how tied to weapons of mass destruction reasonably than UAS. At this time, the antiquated MTCR interpretation ties the USG’s fingers even on easy export applications which get pleasure from bipartisan assist. We should always counter the unfair market benefits gained by overseas suppliers not topic to self-imposed MTCR limitations. Additional, we should objectively steadiness the prioritization of know-how safety with that of arming allies and companions (utilizing their very own cash!) for future conflicts and elevated burden-sharing.
We look ahead to collaborating with you in your essential new position.
Sincerely,
Linden Blue
Chief Govt Officer
Common Atomics Aeronautical Techniques Inc.
About GA-ASI
Common Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of Common Atomics, is a number one designer and producer of confirmed, dependable RPA techniques, radars, and electro-optic and associated mission techniques, together with the Predator® RPA sequence 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 knowledge hyperlink techniques required to ship persistent situational consciousness. The corporate additionally produces quite a lot of sensor management/picture evaluation software program, provides pilot coaching and assist companies, and develops meta-material antennas.
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