How small businesses will support US defence programmes
Small companies were awarded over 25% of all DoD prime contracts in 2022. (Photo: US Army)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have exposed serious vulnerabilities in the Pentagon’s supply chain and has pushed the US toward betting on small companies to ensure the smooth progress of major acquisition and development programmes.
Small firms make up 73% of companies in the defence industrial base (DIB) according to the DoD. In 2022, small enterprises were awarded over 25% of all Pentagon prime contracts.
Speaking to Shephard, Gregory Sanders, deputy director and fellow with the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group at the US-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), explained that ‘small businesses are
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.