Strategic Plan

Our 2012 Strategic Plan ensures that the Aerospace Industries Association provides the highest quality representation for our members. We have four focus areas in 2012:

• Promote Strong U.S. Economic Policy that Supports Aerospace and Defense
• Enhance Safety and Security, Protect the Environment and Operate with the Highest Ethical Standards
• Achieve a Level Playing Field for the Aerospace Industry
• Improve U.S. Aerospace Infrastructure and Retain U.S. Industrial Base Capability

Within these focus areas we have developed a detailed set of goals, targets and critical milestones that will measure our progress and ensure that our members and the business sectors in which they operate - national security, civil aviation and space - are represented equitably and effectively. Provided below is a discussion of the key themes reflected in goals, targets and milestones throughout the plan.

National Security

The budget for defense faced serious challenges in 2011. On top of reductions mandated under former Defense Secretary Gates’ Efficiency Initiative, the first phase of Congress’ Budget Control Act led to $480 billion in defense cuts over the next ten years. The select committee (“super committee”) appointed to identify at least $1.2 trillion more in deficit reductions over the same time period failed to identify further budget cuts and potential tax increases. As a result, automatic cuts of up to $600 billion – under the Acts “sequestration” trigger – are scheduled to occur beginning in 2013.

To combat these cuts, AIA launched the “Second to None” Campaign in 2011 to help educate lawmakers, the administration and the public at large on the potential loss to our national and economic security should cuts of this magnitude proceed. An analysis commissioned by AIA estimates that the potential job loss under a $1 trillion defense budget cut to be more than one million direct and indirect jobs, with over 350,000 of these jobs coming out of the aerospace and defense industry directly. Second to None will figure prominently in our work this year.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and others in the administration have spoken out against further cuts and their potentially devastating impact to national security and our industrial base. One of AIA’s main priorities in 2012 will be to continue the regular government-industry senior dialogue begun under previous DOD leadership. A strong and vital partnership with the Secretary of Defense and his team will be crucial to maintaining industrial base capabilities in a time of tightening budget constraints.

Our primary goal for 2012 is to avoid further cuts to the aerospace and defense account, such as those that would take place through sequestration, beyond the $480 billion included in the first phase of the Budget Control Act. We will also work for extensive, targeted reform of the defense acquisition system and the export control process, extend a collaborative dialogue with the government and Congress on defense exports, and bolster the International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct.

In light of the challenges presented by dwindling budgets, AIA’s ongoing priority to fill the aerospace career pipeline by promoting the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculums has become even more important. In 2012, AIA will work to expand its STEM workforce efforts to attract the talent needed to meet the long term workforce needs of the aerospace and defense industry.

While the quality and reliability of materials used in the production of defense and aerospace technologies are vital, industry continues to focus on balancing the environmental, health and safety risks posed by some materials. Manufacturers are actively exploring ways to minimize their use, while delivering similar performance. In 2012, AIA will work with its members, DOD, NASA, FAA, EPA and the international community to expand its already substantial dialogue in these areas.

Civil Aviation

Noting that large commercial aircraft orders and business and general aviation aircraft sales are still below normal, 2011 saw a marked improvement over 2010 in commercial and business jet orders. AIA is taking steps to ensure that the industry is positioned to take advantage of new growth when it occurs in 2012 and beyond.

In 2011, AIA continued its focus on educating legislators, policymakers and the general public on the economic and environmental importance of accelerating NextGen, also part of our message under the Second to None campaign. The president and Congress support civil airspace infrastructure investment and despite an austere federal budget environment, continue to fund NextGen programs at levels sufficient to assure on time implementation. In 2012, AIA will continue to support NextGen equipage funding incentives and will work closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to promote harmonized development of satellite-based air traffic management systems worldwide.

Through AIA’s chairmanship of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), we will monitor and help shape global policy decisions created in United Nations related organizations such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection and the World Radio Conference. Cyber security, emissions restrictions and spectrum are global concerns and require global advocacy.

We will advocate for continued funding for NASA’s research into environmental mitigation technology and FAA’s CLEEN program and Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative (CAFFI). We will work with FAA, DHS and other agencies to ensure a civil aviation regulatory environment supporting continued innovation and a global level playing field. AIA’s efforts in these areas, and our engagement with FAA to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the NextGen Implementation Plan, must be continued in close cooperation with regulators and air navigation service providers worldwide. By working across borders to secure global harmonization of standards and regulations, we will ensure an international marketplace for our products.

Space

U.S. civil space programs experienced dramatic changes in 2011 - especially the end of the Space Shuttle program and our consequent reliance on Russia for crew launch to the International Space Station (ISS). This development heightens the urgent need for new human space flight capabilities. In 2012, AIA will support NASA’s commercial crew and cargo programs as part of a balanced approach to assure crew access to LEO by commercial providers while also promoting continued investment in human exploration programs to take NASA astronauts beyond low earth orbit. AIA will advocate for continued investment in human exploration programs to take NASA astronauts beyond low earth orbit for the first time in over thirty-years. We will also strive to protect NASA’s investment accounts for space science programs as well as support advanced technology development. At the same time, we will work to assure that any significant top-line NASA budget reductions are spread equitably between the industrial base and the NASA workforce.

The budget outlook has deteriorated for all government funded space programs – despite the successful passage of a “minibus” Appropriation, both NASA and NOAA were cut and may be further impacted if the FY2013 domestic discretionary budget sequester stays in place. The House Appropriations Committee cut fiscal year 2012 military space investment accounts by $600 million. In light of this environment, AIA is committed to emphasizing the crucial role that U.S. space and missile defense programs play in security and technological competitiveness. We will work with member companies to mitigate the impact, both by working to help the government meet budget requirements while working to broaden the industry’s ability to offset government space business cuts through export reforms and promoting space system and component exports.

A robust space industrial base plays a critical role in U.S. military and intelligence requirements. While the Administration has been proactive in trying to understand the implications of defense cutbacks on the national security space industrial base, more work will be needed to maintain budget stability, predictability, as well as the health of lower tier manufacturers. Efforts to institute evolutionary acquisition of satellites will need to be balanced with a stable commitment to research and development and new technology.

U.S. leadership in space cannot be taken for granted. Other nations are learning the value of space systems and the arena is increasingly contested, congested and competitive. Fortunately, AIA’s space member companies remain focused on the challenges at hand. AIA will grow its role as the leading space industry voice and engage the U.S. government space community at all levels, from policy to program level contacts.