SAN DIEGO – For greater than 30 years, Normal Atomics Aeronautical Methods, Inc. (GA-ASI) has invented, innovated and delivered disruptive new protection applied sciences in assist of america and its allies, redefining the way forward for international 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 throughout the U.S. protection acquisition system and assist 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 replica of that letter is supplied under, to generate further public dialogue on the present state of operations and the trail ahead.
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24 January 2025
Expensive Mr. Musk,
That is an thrilling time in Washington, DC and throughout the nation. Normal Atomics Aeronautical Methods (GA-ASI), the chief in unmanned aerial techniques, is keen to work with the DOGE on the vital activity of reforming protection acquisition to boost its effectivity and contribution to nationwide safety. GA-ASI, an business upstart and disruptor, led the world within the design and improvement of unmanned aerial autos, 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 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 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 opponents like China, Turkey, and Israel to win vital worldwide prospects. Gross sales misplaced to those opponents whereas we waited on some USG motion means much less funding out there 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 are able to.
As you seek for efficiencies throughout the USG’s protection acquisition system, let me flag a number of areas that deserve particular consideration. We will present extra detailed descriptions and proposals upon request.
- Delays: Use out there 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 evolve 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 throughout the U.S. Overseas Army Gross sales (FMS) system, by which execution is fragmented throughout the Division of State, a number of DoD companies, and the navy companies, with none of them capable of direct the others. No person is in the end accountable for reaching or failing to realize the administration’s strategic goals associated to promoting protection articles to allies. Accountability will be achieved by means of clear traces of authority and duty, 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 deal with missile know-how tied to weapons of mass destruction reasonably than UAS. Right now, the antiquated MTCR interpretation ties the USG’s palms even on simple export packages which take pleasure in bipartisan assist. We must always counter the unfair market benefits gained by overseas suppliers not topic to self-imposed MTCR limitations. Additional, we should objectively stability 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 sit up for collaborating with you in your vital new function.
Sincerely,
Linden Blue
Chief Government Officer
Normal Atomics Aeronautical Methods Inc.
About GA-ASI
Normal Atomics Aeronautical Methods, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of Normal 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 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 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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