Looking Past Efficiency in the U.S. Defense Industry
Undersecretary of Defense Paul G. Kaminski’s stated view that all current facilities for military shipbuilding operate at efficient production levels (“Sink or Swim for Shipbuilder,” Feb. 25) overlooks an important issue.
It would be a mistake if our nation’s defense capabilities were reduced to a single supplier for any major element of the military’s arsenal. My concern extends to the pending acquisition of the Hughes Aircraft’s tactical missile business by Raytheon. After years of effort and millions of dollars spent by the Defense Department to develop a second source for most of the major weapons procurements, why are we now permitting our defense capabilities to be weakened?
In a phase where total production is being reduced, perhaps “efficiency” is not the only factor to be considered in the equation.
EUGENE N. TORGOW
Northridge
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
