Article

The U.S. defense production is experiencing significant delays due to vulnerabilities among Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, who are crucial for major weapons programs. An explosion in 2021 that halted the only domestic black powder producer has worsened stockpile shortages, while financial struggles among smaller manufacturers have led to a 40% decline in small business suppliers. To address these issues, the Department of Defense is urged to enhance support for these lower-tier suppliers through multi-year contracts and improved visibility into supply chain dependencies.