Defense Industry, Others Benefit from War Contracts

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Though defense contracts are no longer be the engine of Southern California-s economy, the Southland is still the national center for new weapons development. After the 1991 Gulf War, there was a big spurt in arms sales worldwide, so it-s no surprise that there-s a lot at stake after this conflict, too. That potential has defense contractors watching the war in Iraq very closely to see how new weapons systems perform. The war in Iraq is moving taking new weapons systems out of testing facilities and onto the battlefield, and saturation news coverage on cable TV is providing a marketing tool that money can-t buy. We hear which weapons are getting the most attention and what it means for the Southland from a defense industry reporter for the Washington Post and a UCLA economist.
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Reports on natural gas, gasoline price spikes

Boeing

Northrop Grumman

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton