CDA Letter to DoD re: CFTN Report that Missile Defense Agency Supportive of Aerojet Acquisition

September 21, 2021

Department of Defense

Attn: Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301

Dear Deputy Secretary Hicks,

I am writing in response to some reporting this week that members of the DoD review team of the potential acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne by Lockheed Martin, more specifically the Missile Defense Agency, favor the merger.

In other words, this proposed merger is gaining support from members of the Pentagon that are fine with knowingly allowing Northrup and Lockheed to dominate the U.S. military’s missile technology by shutting out their only serious competition. Worse, this information was seemingly leaked to Lockheed Martin, or allies of Lockheed Martin.

I am curious if support among members of the Missile Defense Agency is about creating the path of least resistance and simplifying the procurement process? Because it should be about fostering competition and ensuring innovation in missile technology. After all, on the modern battlefield, men and women serving this nation are going to rely on our missile technology to defeat our enemies and keep them safe from incoming projectiles.

Please keep in mind, in the last few years, (court ordered) forced competition for Lockheed, by SpaceX, proved that what Lockheed was offering was not in the best interests of the American taxpayer.

Finally, our Commander in Chief has made it clear that his Administration believes that competition is what fuels innovation and the middle class, not corporate greed, and Wall Street. I hope the Pentagon will keep the President’s mission in mind, when deciding on this important matter.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Hank Naughton

Centrist Democrats of America