Aerospace Panel Urges Bigger R&D Credit, Updated Export-License List

ByJohn S. McClenahen There are no real surprises in the just-released second interim report of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. The 12-person panel, which includes Lockheed Martin Corp. President & COO Robert J. Stevens, recommends a bigger and permanent incremental R&D tax credit to encourage investment in new technologies. The commission also is suggesting immediate updating of the country risk surveys that are used to determine whether export licenses should be issued for certain types of defense hardware and advanced technologies. "In many cases, U.S. government surveys of individual country risk are years out of date," the commission claims. The commission's final report is slated to be released on Nov. 19.