L3Harris CEO William Brown: Stable Funding, Faster Acquisitions Key to a More Resilient Defense Supply Chain

William “Bill” Brown, chairman and CEO of L3Harris Technologies and a previous Wash100 awardee, wrote in a commentary published Monday on Defense News that there are several actions the Department of Defense and industry should implement to strengthen the country’s defense supply chain and one is ensuring sustained budgets.

“Stable, long-term funding helps companies better plan and encourages them to invest in staffing, technology and facilities needed for the country to maintain its technical superiority,” Brown wrote. “Now is not the time to pull back the reins on defense spending.”

Another measure is speeding up contract awards. He cited how shorter acquisition cycles could help suppliers accelerate technology delivery and “offset the impact of the commercial aerospace downturn” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Brown called on DoD and industry to broaden the domestic supplier base, institutionalize process improvements and boost workforce investment by offering STEM education opportunities.

“These are not quick fixes,” Brown said. “However, they provide a strong platform for a more resilient national defense supplier base, which is vital at a time when near-peer adversaries continue to invest heavily in new technologies that threaten our nation’s security."