DOD, biz hurt by sequester

Elana Broitman, deputy assistant Defense secretary for manufacturing and industrial base policy, decried the uncertainty of mandated sequestration budget cuts because they are causing the Pentagon to develop two competing budgets. Broitman claims short-term sequestration plans are going to damage the quality of American weapons systems, reduce competition in the marketplace and deter industry innovation. Retired BAE Systems CEO Linda Hudson, representing industry at the same panel discussion April 23 organized by Bloomberg Government, agreed that “sequestration was giving companies trouble dealing with … uncertainty, but the sky is not falling.” But Hudson claimed current federal draw-downs differ from the post-Cold War era. There is no shared “collaboration” for a peace dividend between industry and government, she claimed, and defense contractors aren’t going to invest business dollars in research and development over unseen visions. (Source: Government Executive, 04/24/14) Central Mississippi note: Broitman also expressed regret Congress rejected the administration’s request for a 2017 round of base closures. NAS Meridian, NAS Whiting Field, Fla., Army’s Fort Rucker, Ala., and primary naval aviation training at Corpus Christi, Texas, have been perpetual sources of conversation at BRAC commissions since 1991.