Pentagon pushes arms makers to boost output as Iran war drains stocks – WaPo

The Department of War has given defense contractors until late August to propose “significantly faster” delivery schedules, according to a memo seen by US media The Pentagon is pressing US arms makers to accelerate production as the ongoing war with Iran depletes critical weapons stockpiles, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing a Department of War memo to industry leaders.The memo, written by Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg and reportedly sent earlier this week, gives manufacturers 21 days to propose “significantly faster” and “more aggressive” delivery schedules, expanded production capacity, or both.“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Feinberg wrote. “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.”The memo identifies several critical programs, including next-generation air-defense equipment, surface-to-air missile systems, satellite communications, and space-based missile tracking. Feinberg also called on industry leaders to propose investments and facility expansions to support “higher volume, sustained orders.”Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed to the media on Saturday that the memo is real...