Executive Summary, Defense Manufacturing in 2010 and Beyond

Manufacturing has played a vital role in the development and production of weapons systems used for the defense of the nation. During the Cold War, when defense manufacturing practices and capabilities evolved to meet specific threats to national security, defense products were manufactured largely by a dedicated defense industry. Since the end of the Cold War, however, changing circumstances have significantly influenced defense manufacturing. These include: changing threats to national security; declining defense budgets; consolidation of the defense industry; the increasing globalization of industry; the increasing rate of change of technology; and requirements for environmentally compatible manufacturing.