Defense Mergers

The idea that lower defense budgets require the merging of large defense companies is at odds with the global change underway in management. This change has shown that a team of separate (smaller) companies can produce a better product at less cost in shorter time. Commercial companies are dedicated to this process for leadership in world markets.

It is well known that engineers are most inventive when pressed into a corner, and so are engi- neering-based defense companies. Size reduction of companies, like government, is healthy--an opportunity for reinvention to serve the customer better.

THOMAS R. STUELPNAGEL

Former President

Hughes Helicopters

Avila Beach, Calif.