Defense Contractors Take to the Hill to Lobby on Drones
As the threat of more spending cuts raises concerns about the military's budget priorities, defense contractors competing for a coveted Navy contract have taken to Capitol Hill to lobby on new drone technology.
Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics have all lobbied this year on the technology known as "unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAV) or "remotely piloted vehicles" (RPV) -- but better known to the public as drones. Along with Lockheed Martin, the firms are in competition to manufacture the Navy's much-touted Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike program (UCLASS), a carrier-based aircraft that is slated to be operational by 2020.
Some members of Congress have expressed concern over changes in the UCLASS program's performance parameters. Senior Pentagon officials reportedly became more involved in the development of the aircraft in 2011, moving it away from its initial conception as a stealthy aircraft able to carry a heavy weapons payload to something with more limited capabilities. The Pentagon's decision to downgrade UCLASS is at least in part a response to looming budget cuts enacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Among those on Capitol Hill who have spoken out are Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), who recently sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy requesting that the Pentagon reconsider its change in direction for the UCLASS program. The lawmakers said they were concerned the current approach "could limit the capability growth of the system."
Northrop Grumman, which has spent nearly $9.5 million on lobbying in 2013, reported that it lobbied on UCLASS as well as the aircraft's demonstration model, UCAS, which was designed and made by Northrop.
General Atomics, maker of the Predator drone, spent close to $1.5 million lobbying in the first half of the year. Records show that the firm has lobbied on "issues related to future roles and missions of remotely piloted vehicles." Boeing, which has spent just a bit more than $7.6 million, also reported lobbying on "unmanned systems" this year.
Lockheed Martin, which has also spent more than $7.6 million on lobbying, didn't specifically mention drones in its reports, but did note that it had lobbied on "issues related to Lockheed Martin's aircraft and Navy programs."
The defense contractors, of course, lobby Congress and various government agencies on a long list of issues. And their lobbying on drones isn't just limited to the UCLASS program. Northrop Grumann is also worried about whether the government will continue to buy a version of its Global Hawk surveillance drone. The Pentagon wants to kill it, but many members of Congress support it.
Images: Predator Drone image via General Atomics.
Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics have all lobbied this year on the technology known as "unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAV) or "remotely piloted vehicles" (RPV) -- but better known to the public as drones. Along with Lockheed Martin, the firms are in competition to manufacture the Navy's much-touted Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike program (UCLASS), a carrier-based aircraft that is slated to be operational by 2020. Some members of Congress have expressed concern over changes in the UCLASS program's performance parameters. Senior Pentagon officials reportedly became more involved in the development of the aircraft in 2011, moving it away from its initial conception as a stealthy aircraft able to carry a heavy weapons payload to something with more limited capabilities. The Pentagon's decision to downgrade UCLASS is at least in part a response to looming budget cuts enacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Among those on Capitol Hill who have spoken out are Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), who recently sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy requesting that the Pentagon reconsider its change in direction for the UCLASS program. The lawmakers said they were concerned the current approach "could limit the capability growth of the system."
Northrop Grumman, which has spent nearly $9.5 million on lobbying in 2013, reported that it lobbied on UCLASS as well as the aircraft's demonstration model, UCAS, which was designed and made by Northrop.
General Atomics, maker of the Predator drone, spent close to $1.5 million lobbying in the first half of the year. Records show that the firm has lobbied on "issues related to future roles and missions of remotely piloted vehicles." Boeing, which has spent just a bit more than $7.6 million, also reported lobbying on "unmanned systems" this year.
Lockheed Martin, which has also spent more than $7.6 million on lobbying, didn't specifically mention drones in its reports, but did note that it had lobbied on "issues related to Lockheed Martin's aircraft and Navy programs."
The defense contractors, of course, lobby Congress and various government agencies on a long list of issues. And their lobbying on drones isn't just limited to the UCLASS program. Northrop Grumann is also worried about whether the government will continue to buy a version of its Global Hawk surveillance drone. The Pentagon wants to kill it, but many members of Congress support it.
Images: Predator Drone image via General Atomics.
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