Rep. Ken Calvert: How to Maximize American Manufacturing Capacity
January 6, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1767729736841-1745
Rep. Ken Calvert proposes an initiative to maximize American manufacturing capacity in the US, as part of the upcoming fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill and FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. The Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network (CRMN) aims to establish a certification and qualification process for domestic commercial companies to manufacture components, weapons, and equipment. This effort is seen as crucial to boosting the US defense industrial base and improving its ability to compete with China, which has been accused of outproducing the US on a massive scale.
Key Takeaways
- The US Army has selected Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky for a rotary-wing training contract.
- China is outproducing the US on a massive scale.
- The Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital has begun taking on the challenge through public-private partnership agreements with MP Materials and Vulcan Elements.
Strategic Implications
This initiative may indicate a shift towards prioritizing domestic defense industrial manufacturing capacity. The proposal to create a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network (CRMN) suggests a focus on removing red tape and building a national registry of manufacturing capabilities. This could potentially strengthen the US defense industrial base and improve its ability to compete with China.