For all you mechanical engineers out there that may know - is security clearance from the DOD required in order to design defense systems and/or military style weapons as well (specifically small arms)? Or, are you able to design these systems, manufacture, test them, and try to sell them to various branches of the service?
An example company would be Milkor USA - they designed, built, marketed their product, then sold 9000 m32 grenade launchers to the USMC, but do not appear to be officially contracted with the DOD. I could be wrong though..
2007-06-21 13:23:08 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
In order to sell anything to the DOD you need a CAGE code or a GSA contract number. These are both registrations that any business can apply for, however acceptance is not guaranteed.
Security clearances are required for access to; or knowledge of anything the US Govt determines as secret or critical to national security/defense. Example...just knowing the operating frequency of an air force radio is considered secret and clearances are needed. So working for any serious defense contractor will require engineers to receive security clearances.
Most things; however are open to any qualified bidder and are awarded to the "lowest cost, best delivery" bid. (most times...) Metal parts, hardware, wire, electronic components..etc. I don't know specifically about grenade launchers or other firearms, but I can assure you that the company you mentioned was "licensed" and complied with all DOD requirements for the contract and that they didn't design the M32 grenade launcher.
Could a company start-up, design a "small arm", build it, test it and present it to a branch of the military without any clearances ? Sure...but they'd have a better chance selling ice to Eskimos. The military buys the weapons they pay to have developed, based on their future combat needs. Those programs are lengthy develop/test cycles and aren't to be taken lightly; only extremely well capitalized companies can afford to pay for the material and time needed to qualify for production. Companies like Lockheed and General Dynamics regularly receive large amounts of govt funding to develop a weapon specified by the branch of service who will purchase it. Why would they buy a weapon from a unqualified start up ?
2007-06-21 15:40:06 · answer #1 · answered by limick32 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you apply for work at a company (like Milkor) and are assigned to work on any of those projects, the company will apply for you to get a clearance. They will pay for any background investigations, paperwork, etc. It will be mostly transparent to you.
All you will have to do is fill out a lot of forms, be interviewed, and sign non-disclosure and other official documents.
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2007-06-22 03:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DoD is branch of protection. and closer to the president's device of determination. you won't be able to 'sell' something to the DoD. learn VERY stressful, if it relatively is your objective. do many displays of your artwork. interior of your self, be certain you're ultimate. you would be puzzled and challenged. you would be taken aside. I say this, as I met that subject in my field (civil engineering) and that i broke down. VERY stressful.
2016-10-02 22:12:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do not need any type of clearance to get started....you might need to be licensed to do the testing.....
2007-06-21 13:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by bombaybubba 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋