National Security Assessment of the U.S. Aerial Delivery Equipment Industry. A Joint Assessment With U.S. Soldier Biological and Chemical Command

The U.S. Army Soldier Biological and Chemical Command SBCCOM requested this national security assessment of the U.S. Aerial Delivery Industry. SBCCOM was concerned about the ability of its suppliers to produce aerial delivery products in the future. Since BIS undertook this study and collected data from domestic suppliers, the U.S. Aerial Delivery Industry has seen demand for its products increase as a result of U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The surge in orders and increased revenue flowing to aerial delivery manulacturers is strengthening their economic positions. This positive news, however, has not eliminated the management and modernization challenges facing the Department of Defense DOD, and aerial delivery system manulacturers and their suppliers in the United States. This study identifies both short-term and long-term issues and problems that the industry and DOD must address to assure that the nation can effectively execute tomorrows national security missions. The U.S. Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security BIS is delegated the authority under Section 705 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, and Executive Order 12656 to collect basic economic and production information from industry. These provisions enable BIS to gather data essential to assessing the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base. These assessments enable the government to collect information to develop programs and policies that will improve the capabilities and competitiveness of specific industrial sectors and their ability to support U.S. national security. The Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security SIES is the operating unit within BIS with the responsibility for industry data collection and industrial base analysis.