Lynn Lays Out Vision For Defense Industrial Base going Global & Commercial

Lexington Institute » Finmeccanica N.A. CEO Lays Out Vision For Global Commercial Defense Industrial Base

The Pentagon’s existing acquisition model is all but dead. It must inevitably give way for a new approach, one based on a smaller number of specialized defense firms, greater reliance on commercial companies and technologies, and expanded access to international industries. These were the central contentions made by William Lynn, former Deputy Secretary of Defense and currently Chief Executive Officer of Finmeccanica North America/DRS Technologies, in a speech today at the Atlantic Council. - See more at: http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/finmeccanica-n-a-ceo-lays-out-vision-for-global-commercial-defense-industrial-base/#sthash.DHExEHJa.dpuf

The Pentagon’s existing acquisition model is all but dead. It must inevitably give way for a new approach, one based on a smaller number of specialized defense firms, greater reliance on commercial companies and technologies, and expanded access to international industries. These were the central contentions made by William Lynn, former Deputy Secretary of Defense and currently Chief Executive Officer of Finmeccanica North America/DRS Technologies, in a speech today at the Atlantic Council.

DoD will need a new approach to acquisition. It will have to focus less on competition between the large defense prime contractors to produce major platforms and more on competition among the mid and smaller-size firms for payloads, systems and specific niche technologies. This new approach will have to make greater use of commercial technologies and leverage the massive productive capacity of firms that sell primarily into the commercial marketplace. Finally, because commercial production has gone global, DoD will need to think about its industrial base in global terms.
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See more at: http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/finmeccanica-n-a-ceo-lays-out-vision-for-global-commercial-defense-industrial-base/#sthash.DHExEHJa.dpuf

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DRS Technologies, Inc. - Management Team

William J. Lynn III
Chief Executive Officer, Finmeccanica North America and DRS Technologies, Inc.

William J. “Bill” Lynn III is the Chief Executive Officer of both Finmeccanica North America and DRS Technologies, Inc.  Prior to joining DRS in January 2012, Mr. Lynn served as the 30th United States Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2009 until 2011.  Serving under Secretaries Robert Gates and Leon Panetta, he managed three million personnel and oversaw an annual budget of $700 billion.  He also personally led the Department's efforts in cybersecurity, space strategy and energy policy.

From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Lynn was Senior Vice President of Government Operations and Strategy at the Raytheon Company.  Previously, he served as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) from 1997 to 2001 and as Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1997.  Mr. Lynn also worked on the staff of Senator Ted Kennedy as his counsel for the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions, including four DoD medals for distinguished public service, the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and awards from the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.

Mr. Lynn holds a law degree from Cornell Law School and a Master's degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.  He is also a graduate of Dartmouth College.