Defense Aerospace Industrial Base

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Questions and Answers

What has been the most significant contributor to the U.S. balance of trade?

Commercial aerospace exports (correct)

Aerospace infrastructure

Aerospace industrial base consolidation

Increased military budgets

What has led to extensive consolidation in the aerospace industrial base?

Reduced military budgets

Increased commercial competition

Shrinking market

All of the above (correct)

What is essential to U.S. dominance of the twenty-first century battlespace?

Cutting-edge aerospace products (correct)

Increased military budgets

Aerospace industrial base consolidation

Aerospace infrastructure

What has led to uncertainty about maintaining sources of supply for the US Military?

Consolidation in aerospace industrial base Signup and view all the answers

What has fallen by about 35 percent since 1998?

The overall positive aerospace trade balance Signup and view all the answers

What has increased recently regarding U.S. weapons exports?

The U.S. market share of weapons exports Signup and view all the answers

What is traditionally the most significant contributor to the U.S. balance of trade?

The technology base supported by the US Air Force Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern expressed by the US Air Force and aerospace industry?

Difficulty in attracting and retaining highly skilled technical personnel Signup and view all the answers

Why have few new people been hired in recent years in the Air Force and aerospace industry?

Due to downsizing caused by military budget cuts Signup and view all the answers

What did the Air Force enlist the National Research Council (NRC) to do?

Provide a report on the effects of a shrinking US defense industrial base and the aerospace industry's ability to attract and maintain aerospace engineers Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for national security strategy implementation and maintaining high technical capability in aerospace forces?

The defense aerospace industrial base Signup and view all the answers

What does the NRC committee's study approach include?

Examining financial health, S&T talent base, key facilities, policies, regulations, and management of relevant organizations Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for national security strategy implementation according to the text?

Vigorous technical progress in aerospace systems Signup and view all the answers

What did the committee develop a framework for assessing?

The defense aerospace industrial base, focusing on government laboratories, industry, and academia. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge to the defense aerospace industry in the post-Cold War world?

Regional and ethnic rivalries Signup and view all the answers

Which technology may enemies use to inflict unexpected casualties according to the text?

Biotechnology Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential asymmetric strategy mentioned in the text that can counter U.S. military advantages?

Information net attacks Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of aviation engineering mentioned in the text?

Airspace development Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of recent reductions in defense projects and hiring according to the text?

Decline in workforce experience Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the decline in DoD funding?

Resulted in fewer projects for scientists and engineers Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as crucial to avoid interference with military operations and ensure commercial airline navigation?

Engineering and planning of airspace Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for certain airspaces in China being designated for military use only?

To avoid the risk of a strayed aircraft leading to military intervention Signup and view all the answers

What led to the development of commercial airliners?

Advancement in aerospace engineering and aircraft designs Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of aviation engineers in airport design?

Providing guidance for construction, daily running, operation, and maintenance of airports Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is responsible for controlling aircraft navigation throughout the United States?

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of problems do aviation engineers work on at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)?

Research and development, noise pollution, and hypersonic aircraft Signup and view all the answers

In which areas do aviation engineers contribute to technological advancement?

Aircraft parts production and equipment improvement Signup and view all the answers

What is distinct about aviation engineering compared to aerospace engineering?

It deals with aircraft management, airport design, construction, and international air services agreements (treaties) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of components are produced by aerospace machine shops?

Electrical connectors, oxygen generation systems, landing gear assemblies, and other specialized pieces Signup and view all the answers

What kind of agencies commonly employ aviation engineers in the United States?

Federal, state, and local agencies like the Department of Transportation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adequate funding is essential for maintaining a robust defense aerospace industrial base, including research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), a full spectrum of activities, and effective policies for allocation and administration.
In the post-Cold War world, new challenges emerge from regional and ethnic rivalries, terrorist and criminal organizations, and their access to rapidly changing commercial and military technologies.
Enemies may use commercial technologies, such as computer technology, communications, biotechnology, miniaturized electronics, and surveillance equipment, to inflict unexpected casualties and damage public support.
Asymmetric strategies, like information net attacks, GPS jamming and spoofing, causing civilian damage, and more, can counter U.S. military advantages and require continuous improvement in U.S. technical capabilities.
The United States must innovate faster and more effectively than potential enemies to maintain superiority and keep up with the tactic and countertactic evolution.
The DoD must allocate and manage resources efficiently to support a world-class defense aerospace industrial base, offsetting rising costs and ensuring a talented, highly skilled, well-educated workforce.
Airspace development is a key component of aviation engineering, involving planning, designing, and engineering of airspace for military and civil users, and formulating policies, regulations, and agreements.
Airspace is divided into territorial airspace and air routes, and engineering and planning are crucial to avoid interference with military operations and ensure commercial airline navigation.
In the defense aerospace industry, recent reductions in defense projects and hiring have led to a decline in the age-experience composition of the workforce, limited opportunities for design experience, and increased unit weapon system costs, making it more challenging to attract and retain top talent.
The decline in DoD funding has resulted in fewer projects for scientists and engineers, reducing their experience levels and limiting their opportunities to work on diverse technologies, potentially leading to gaps between the development of new systems and the loss of specifically trained and experienced workers.

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Test your knowledge about the requirements for a robust defense aerospace industrial base, including funding for RDT&E, workforce training, and effective funding policies.