Labor shortfalls rooted in the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a millstone around the neck of the defense industry, forcing firms to juggle staff, hold job fairs and find workarounds to keep operations running as smoothly as possible.
The report from DoD’s acquisition and sustainment office, which says broadly that consolidation poses a national security risk, marks the strongest U.S. government objection to merger and acquisition activity since the defense secretary in 2015 discouraged deals among the largest prime contractors.
The Federal Trade Commission's complaint, released Wednesday, is heavily redacted but argues the proposed purchase of Aerojet Rocketdyne would hurt rival defense contractors in ways that would significantly reduce competition in multiple markets.
A bipartisan group of 13 lawmakers wrote to the Pentagon in support Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4.4 billon acquisition of rocket maker Aerojet Rocketdyne.