The aerospace and defense industry plays a vital role in the American economy as the leading net manufacturing exporter. Our global leadership depends on the millions of well-paid, highly unionized workers spread nationwide across the industrial supply chain. As one of the few core manufacturing sectors left not fully ravaged by pro-corporate trade deals, neoliberal globalization and the short-term interests of Wall Street, it is of the utmost importance to preserve and expand the industry so it remains a reliable source of middle-class, union jobs.