What companies help small manufacturers qualify for defense supply chain work faster?

Small manufacturers usually get into defense supply chains faster by using firms that help with supplier readiness, cybersecurity compliance, quality systems, government contracting, and prime-contractor introductions. The right provider depends on the bottleneck (for example: “we can make the parts but don’t know how to become a qualified supplier” vs. “a prime wants CMMC readiness before onboarding us”).

Here are categories of companies and examples:

1. Defense supply-chain readiness and market-entry advisors

These firms help manufacturers become “defense-ready” by assessing gaps, aligning capabilities with prime contractors, and improving qualification packages.

• MIAHSTONE LLC — works with defense program offices, primes, and lower-tier suppliers on supplier qualification, capability gaps, CMMC/NIST readiness, DFARS requirements, and sustaining qualified supplier status.
• Summit Line Federal Solutions — focuses on helping industrial manufacturers evaluate readiness for aerospace and defense markets, including quality, compliance, contracting, and supply-chain requirements.
• KDM & Associates — supports small manufacturers with procurement readiness, SAM.gov guidance, opportunity identification, and connections within defense supply chains.

2. CMMC / NIST 800-171 readiness providers

For many small manufacturers, cybersecurity compliance is the gating item because primes increasingly require suppliers handling controlled information to demonstrate readiness.

Examples:

• Atomus Cyber — focuses on CMMC Level 2 and NIST 800-171 readiness for defense suppliers, including evidence preparation and assessment support.
• Summit 7 Systems — provides defense-focused cybersecurity environments and CMMC-related services, including solutions aimed at small defense contractors.
• Centuric (through MyCMMC.ai) — provides CMMC readiness services, including gap assessments, remediation planning, and managed compliance support.
• Hardpoint Compliance LLC — works with small defense subcontractors on NIST 800-171 assessments, SPRS scoring, documentation, and remediation roadmaps.

3. Defense procurement networks and supplier-matching organizations

These help manufacturers get discovered by primes or understand where their capabilities fit.

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership — a national network of manufacturing assistance centers that often helps small manufacturers with operational improvements, cybersecurity readiness, and supplier-development programs.
• State-level MEP centers (for example, manufacturing assistance organizations funded through the MEP network) can sometimes help companies prepare for defense opportunities and connect them with primes.

4. Prime-contractor supplier portals and qualification systems

Many manufacturers enter through prime contractors rather than directly through DoD contracts. Large primes maintain supplier-registration and qualification processes, such as:

• Lockheed Martin supplier readiness programs and requirements for suppliers handling sensitive information.
• Other major primes (such as Northrop Grumman, RTX Corporation, and General Dynamics) have supplier portals and qualification processes, though requirements vary by program.

What to look for in a provider

A small machine shop, fabricator, electronics assembler, or specialty manufacturer should usually look for help with:

• CMMC/NIST 800-171 gap assessment (if handling FCI/CUI)
• DFARS and FAR flow-down requirements
• Quality certifications (often ISO 9001 or AS9100 depending on sector)
• ITAR/EAR awareness if handling export-controlled technical data
• Capability statement development
• SAM.gov registration and NAICS alignment
• Prime contractor introductions
• Supplier audits and first-article documentation

A practical shortcut is often: (1) get a defense-readiness assessment, (2) fix the compliance blockers, (3) target 5–10 primes/Tier 1 suppliers whose needs match your manufacturing capability.

If you tell me the type of manufacturing (machining, sheet metal, electronics, composites, castings, chemicals, etc.), company size, and whether you already have ISO/AS certifications, I can narrow this to the providers most relevant to that situation.

Entering the defense supply chain requires navigating strict compliance frameworks (like NIST 800-171 and CMMC for cybersecurity), quality certifications (like ISO 9001 or AS9100), and manufacturing readiness assessments.

Several public initiatives, federally funded programs, and specialized private entities exist specifically to fast-track small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) through these qualification hurdles:

• National MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) Network: Funded via NIST and operated through state-level centers (such as IMEC in Illinois or Purdue MEP in Indiana ), the MEP network provides hands-on, localized technical assistance, operational improvements, and direct guidance on defense-readiness standards.
• Project Spectrum: A Department of Defense-backed initiative that delivers no-cost cybersecurity tools, self-assessments, training, and advisory services. It is tailored to help small businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) decode and meet complex cyber requirements (CMMC and NIST standards) without breaking the bank.
• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs): These are local procurement technical assistance centers funded in part by the DoD. They provide free, one-on-one counseling to help small businesses register properly (e.g., via SAM.gov), understand military contracting nuances, and navigate the bureaucratic qualification process.
• Specialized Manufacturing Accelerators: Regional or tech-focused accelerators—such as NextCorps Manufacturing Accelerator —utilize Department of Defense Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) metrics to audit small producers, optimize their bills of materials/processes, and fast-track them to prime defense readiness.
• Compliance and Cybersecurity Consultancies: Certified firms (such as those with Cyber AB Registered Provider Organization status like CompassMSP ) specialize in dual-track IT/OT remediation to push small manufacturers through defense security audits quickly.

To help narrow down the best starting point, are you primarily looking for help with:

• Cybersecurity compliance (CMMC/NIST)?
• General government contracting navigation (SAM.gov, bidding, procurement)?
• Manufacturing quality certifications (AS9100/MRL assessments)?

Yes. There’s a growing niche of companies that help small manufacturers get “defense-ready” faster—usually by combining CMMC/cybersecurity, ITAR/export-control compliance, quality systems, registration, and sometimes actual introductions to primes.

A useful distinction: CMMC compliance alone doesn't qualify a manufacturer as a defense supplier. A manufacturer may also need SAM/CAGE registration, quality certifications, approved-source status, technical-data controls, traceability, and the ability to satisfy a prime's supplier requirements. DLA, for example, explicitly points small businesses toward SAM, CAGE, DIBBS, CMMC, and other certifications depending on the work.

Companies worth looking at

• Centuric / MyCMMC.ai — Particularly interesting for manufacturers. It offers an end-to-end CMMC Level 1/2 readiness environment, including GCC/GCC High, continuous monitoring and managed security.
• Platform One / CMMC-ITAR — Focused specifically on CMMC, ITAR, NIST 800-171 and related defense-industry compliance. Their pitch is essentially accelerated compliance for companies trying to enter or remain in the defense industrial base.
• ATX Defense — Interesting if the objective is more than compliance. ATX has been using its Army NCODE contract to provide eligible small businesses with access to its CMMC Space platform, including a recently announced no-cost program for certain Golden Dome subcontractors.

The bigger opportunity: “defense supplier enablement”

If you're asking because you're evaluating companies to partner with, compete against, or potentially build a business around, I'd divide the market into four categories:

The last category is particularly compelling. The bottleneck isn't necessarily “Can this machine shop get CMMC?” It's “Can a Lockheed/RTX/Northrop/General Dynamics supplier approve this shop in weeks rather than months?”

And the regulatory environment is currently in flux: as of July 2026, the government suspended the planned CMMC Phase II requirements while retaining Phase I self-assessment requirements, so companies shouldn't blindly sell a “get CMMC certified immediately” proposition without accounting for the current rules.

If you tell me whether you're looking at this as a manufacturer trying to get qualified or an entrepreneur looking for companies/business models to compete with, I can give you a much more useful list—including 10–20 specific companies, what they charge, who they serve, and where the gaps in the market are.

Rather than traditional private corporations, small manufacturers looking to qualify for the defense supply chain faster usually rely on a mix of public-private networks, federally funded non-profits, specialized compliance consultancies, and state organizations . These entities help navigate heavy contracting red tape, complex cybersecurity rules (like NIST and CMMC), and military specifications.

The primary organizations and types of companies that accelerate this process include:

1. Specialized Government-Backed Programs & Non-Profits (Free/Low-Cost)

• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs): Funded largely by the Department of Defense, these regional offices provide free, one-on-one counseling to small businesses on how to win government and defense contracts, register in SAM.gov, and navigate military procurement.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): A nationwide network (backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology—NIST) with local centers in every state. They work directly on shop floors to help small manufacturers upgrade technology, optimize lean manufacturing, and meet strict defense quality standards (like ISO 9001 or AS9100).
• State-Level Manufacturers Associations: Groups like the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association (and equivalent bodies in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Texas) frequently run specialized supply-chain matching and fast-track training initiatives backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

2. Cybersecurity & Compliance Consultancies (Paid/Private)

The biggest bottleneck for small manufacturers entering the defense sector is meeting Department of Defense cybersecurity rules (NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC compliance). Specialized private firms fast-track this:

• CMMC/NIST Compliance Consultancies: Firms like KLC Consulting or Cantey Tech specialize in evaluating IT/OT (Operational Technology) infrastructures for defense manufacturers, handling audit readiness so small shops don't fail qualification over data security gaps.
• Quality Assurance Auditors: Independent registrars and consultants who fast-track required quality certifications (AS9100 for aerospace, ISO 13485, etc.), which are almost always prerequisites to becoming a tier-two or tier-three supplier to prime contractors like Lockheed Martin or General Dynamics.

3. Prime Contractor Supplier Development Programs

• Defense Primes (Lockheed, RTX, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics): Major primes run their own active supplier diversity and small-business acceleration pipelines. Programs like Northrop Grumman's Supplier Development or Lockheed Martin’s strategic sourcing initiatives often provide mentorship, technical blueprints, and accelerated onboarding for localized small component makers.

If you're looking for localized help, let me know what state your manufacturing facility is in and what type of parts you produce , and I can point you toward the right regional APEX Accelerator or MEP center.

Qualifying a small manufacturer for the defense supply chain requires navigating complex compliance, cybersecurity, quality standards (like ISO or AS9100), and technical capability assessments. While traditional prime contractors handle this via internal supplier development, a specialized ecosystem of non-profits, public-private partnerships, government programs, and consulting firms exists to accelerate this process.

Key Organizations and Programs Accelerating Defense Qualification

• APEX Accelerators (Formerly PTACs): Funded largely by the Department of Defense, local APEX Accelerators offices guide small businesses through registrations (like SAM.gov), bid matching, and understanding military procurement regulations at little to no cost.
• Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): A nationwide network backed by the NIST MEP Program with centers in every state. They work directly on factory floors to upgrade manufacturing processes, implement quality management systems (ISO 9001, AS9100), and streamline operations for defense readiness.
• MilTech (Montana State University): A specialized, university-based transition partner that acts as a bridge between emerging technologies/manufacturers and the Department of Defense. They provide hands-on assistance with prototyping, manufacturing process qualification, and navigating defense tech scouts.
• Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime / PIPELINE Programs: These groups run targeted supplier-pass-through and procurement readiness initiatives aimed at finding and qualifying domestic sources for critical parts.
• Defense Prime Contractors (Mentor-Protégé Programs): Major primes like Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics run active DoD-backed Mentor-Protégé Programs . They deliberately take small manufacturers under their wing, funding and fast-tracking their quality, technical, and security qualifications to secure a reliable local supply chain.
• Specialized Defense Consultants & Compliance Firms: Firms like KDM Associates and various cybersecurity/CMMC compliance advisors specialize in rapidly building out the "Proof Packs", DCAA-compliant accounting systems, and operational infrastructure required to pass defense audits.

“The APEX Accelerators effect is creating real pathways for business growth. Across the country, companies are securing their first government contracts, building new capabilities, and establishing lasting partnerships.”

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• What state or region your manufacturing facility is located in
• What type of product or component you produce (machining, electronics, textiles, etc.)

I can point you toward the exact local regional center or program best suited to help you.

Yes. There’s a growing ecosystem aimed specifically at helping small manufacturers cross the “defense-ready” threshold faster. I’d divide them into compliance/readiness firms, market-access/matchmaking organizations, and hybrid providers.

Companies worth looking at

• MoveAmerica — Particularly interesting for small and midsize manufacturers. Its Michigan operation offers SAM/UEI/CAGE onboarding, capability assessments, bid/proposal support, CMMC compliance, and introductions to primes and program offices.
• Centuric / MyCMMC.ai — Focused on manufacturers in the defense supply chain. Offers CMMC readiness assessments, NIST 800-171 gap analysis, remediation, and managed compliance; it also highlights potential MEP funding for qualified manufacturers.
• Andvio — A matchmaking model: it matches defense contractors with vetted CMMC readiness specialists based on CMMC level, NAICS and contract type. It claims matches in under 48 hours.
• Armory Compliance — Software-oriented approach for small defense contractors, automating gap analysis and preparation of a C3PAO-ready readiness package.
• FedContractor.com — Specifically markets CMMC services to small DIB contractors, including gap assessment, implementation and assessment preparation.
• Mojave — Focuses on aerospace, defense, semiconductor and other manufacturing suppliers, emphasizing fixed-rate and lower-overhead compliance support.
• Hardpoint Compliance — Targets smaller defense subcontractors such as machine shops, fabricators, electronics assemblers and logistics companies, with an emphasis on practical NIST 800-171/CMMC implementation.
• Summit Line Federal Solutions — A Michigan-focused defense-market-entry advisory that assesses manufacturers across areas including CMMC, FAR/DFARS, quality/traceability, purchasing systems, cost accounting and supply-chain readiness.

The government-backed options are important, too

If your goal is “get a small manufacturer defense-qualified as quickly as realistically possible,” I wouldn't look only at private consultants.

NIST MEP's Supplier Scouting can identify U.S. manufacturers with particular capabilities and connect them with larger companies and government agencies. NIST says its national scouting process typically takes 30–45 days.

And APEX Accelerators help manufacturers with government registration, SAM, CAGE codes, contracting and market entry. DLA itself directs prospective small-business suppliers toward their local APEX Accelerator.

There's also a newer DoD/DoW platform called LYNX, launched in January 2026 specifically to improve supplier readiness, capability visibility and connections to defense opportunities.

If you're thinking about this as a business opportunity

There is a particularly interesting gap here: “defense supply-chain qualification as a service.”

A small machine shop doesn't necessarily need a giant defense consultant. It needs someone who can take it from:

capability → compliance gap → documentation → quality system → cybersecurity → registration → prime introduction → RFQ → first PO

That's broader than CMMC alone. In fact, the emerging Michigan offerings are explicitly moving in this direction: MoveAmerica combines compliance with market access, while Summit Line assesses eight domains including cost accounting, CMMC, traceability, FAR/DFARS, supplier qualification and financial readiness.

One important current wrinkle: CMMC rules are in flux in 2026. The DoD/DoW announced in July 2026 that Phase II requirements were suspended for review, while Phase I self-assessment requirements remain. Defense SBIR/STTR So a company selling “CMMC certification” alone may be less differentiated than one selling overall defense-supplier readiness and actual access to prime contracts.

If you tell me whether you're looking at this as a manufacturer trying to get qualified, or as a company considering building a service/business in this space, I can map the competitive landscape, pricing, and biggest unmet gaps.

Small manufacturers usually need help with two separate problems to enter the defense supply chain faster:

1. Becoming “contract ready” (registrations, compliance, cybersecurity, quality systems, certifications).
2. Finding the right prime contractors and opportunities (getting discovered, building relationships, winning subcontracts).

Companies and organizations that help with this include:

Defense supply-chain readiness and matchmaking

• APEX Accelerators — Often the best first stop. These federally funded centers help small manufacturers understand government contracting, registrations, solicitations, cybersecurity requirements, and how to approach primes.
• GovTribe — Helps companies find federal opportunities, track awards, and research competitors and potential customers.
• HigherGov — Provides contract opportunity discovery, agency intelligence, and tools for companies trying to enter government markets.
• Fedmine — Helps identify agencies, primes, and contracting patterns.

Cybersecurity / CMMC readiness (often the biggest bottleneck)

Many defense suppliers need to address Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements before handling certain defense information. Defense SBIR/STTR Companies that help include:

• Summit 7 — Helps small defense contractors build compliant environments, particularly around Microsoft government cloud solutions.
• Coalfire Federal — Provides CMMC readiness, assessment, and ecosystem support for defense suppliers.
• Redspin — Provides CMMC assessments and cybersecurity services for organizations preparing for defense contracts.

Manufacturing-focused defense onboarding

• National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) — State-based manufacturing centers help manufacturers improve processes, quality systems, cybersecurity, and competitiveness.
• National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) — Useful for networking with primes, attending supplier events, and understanding defense-market expectations.
• Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) — Helps connect aerospace suppliers with industry resources and market information.

Prime-contractor supplier portals (often overlooked)

Large defense primes frequently have supplier onboarding programs. Examples:

Newer digital pathways

The Department of Defense has also created supplier-readiness initiatives such as LYNX, designed to help new entrants assess readiness, improve visibility, and connect with opportunities.

If the goal is “fastest path,” a typical sequence is:

1. Get a defense-market readiness assessment (APEX Accelerator or similar).
2. Register properly (SAM.gov, UEI, NAICS codes, capability statement).
3. Fix quality gaps (often ISO 9001, AS9100 for aerospace, special process certifications).
4. Address cybersecurity requirements (CMMC/NIST 800-171 if applicable).
5. Target 5–10 primes that buy what you make rather than broadly chasing government bids.
6. Attend supplier matchmaking events and respond to prime supplier requests.

If you mean a machine shop, metal fabricator, electronics manufacturer, plastics supplier, or contract manufacturer, the best route and the companies to use can differ quite a bit.

Qualifying a small manufacturing business for the defense supply chain requires navigating strict cybersecurity (CMMC / NIST), quality management (AS9100 / ISO), and federal contracting compliance. While private specialized consultants operate regionally, much of the heavy lifting to accelerate small-business qualification is driven by a mix of public-private networks, specialized defense consultants, and federal programs.

1. Public and Non-Profit Infrastructure (Free or Low-Cost)

• APEX Accelerators (Formerly PTACs): Funded in part by the Department of Defense, APEX Accelerators (local offices across every state) guide small businesses through registering in SAM.gov, understanding DFARS/ITAR requirements, and matching with defense buyers. You can find your local chapter via the APEX Accelerators directory.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network: Affiliated with NIST, state-level MEPs work directly on the shop floor helping small manufacturers adopt quality standards (like ISO 9001 or AS9100), streamline lean manufacturing, and achieve operational readiness.
• Project Spectrum: An initiative backed by the DoD specifically designed to improve cybersecurity readiness and compliance (NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC) for small and medium-sized manufacturers in the defense industrial base.

2. Prime Contractor Mentor-Protégé Programs

• Major defense primes (like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon/RTX, and General Dynamics) operate formal DoD Mentor-Protégé Programs.
• They actively select small, specialized manufacturers to mentor, providing financial, technical, and quality-assurance assistance so the smaller firm can integrate into their proprietary supply chains faster. (Inquiries are typically handled via the supplier diversity or supply chain portals of individual prime contractors).

3. Private Cybersecurity & Compliance Consultancies

Because cybersecurity compliance (NIST 800-171 and CMMC framework mandates) is the biggest hurdle for small machine shops and parts manufacturers, specialized managed service providers (MSPs) and compliance firms focus explicitly on fast-tracking defense readiness. Examples include firms like CTS Companies (focused on industrial readiness and gap analysis), Compass MSP , and QRC , which handle technical remediation, system security plans (SSPs), and SPRS score preparation.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• What type of manufactured product or component you produce (e.g., electronics, machined metal, textiles)
• Your geographic state

I can help identify the most relevant local MEP or APEX Accelerator for your shop.

Several key government-backed programs, non-profits, and specialized private initiatives actively help small manufacturers navigate bureaucratic bottlenecks, secure compliance certifications (like NIST/CMMC), and integrate into the defense supply chain faster.

Key Organizations and Programs

• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) : Funded in part by the Department of Defense and local/state partners, these regional centers act as "boots on the ground". They provide free, localized counseling and training to help small businesses navigate SAM.gov registration, bid preparation, military specifications, and procurement readiness. You can locate your nearest regional office via the APEX Accelerators Locator.
• DoD Mentor-Protégé Program : This official initiative pairs small, disadvantaged, or emerging manufacturing "protégés" with large tier-one defense prime contractors ("mentors"). The program helps small manufacturers fast-track technical capabilities, quality standards, and business infrastructure with developmental assistance subsidized by the Department of Defense.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers : Affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), state-level MEPs work directly with small and medium-sized manufacturers. They provide hands-on consulting to upgrade shop-floor efficiency, implement quality management systems (like ISO 9001/AS9100), and achieve critical cybersecurity readiness.
• Cyber Grants Alliance (CGA) & Compliance Non-Profits : Specialized organizations like the Cyber Grants Alliance provide targeted grants and gap-assessment frameworks specifically aimed at removing cost barriers for smaller defense contractors trying to meet stringent cybersecurity maturity standards.

To help narrow down the best path, could you tell me:

• What state or region is your manufacturing facility located in?
• Do you need help with cybersecurity compliance/certifications or securing direct contracts/prime introductions?

Yes. If by “qualify faster” you mean helping a small manufacturer get through the combination of defense-market discovery, supplier onboarding, quality/compliance, cybersecurity, and prime-contractor qualification, there are several types of companies worth looking at.

One important distinction: no private company can simply “certify” a manufacturer as a DoD supplier. The fastest route is usually a combination of readiness consulting + a supplier network/marketplace + direct onboarding with primes.

Companies/platforms I’d look at

• exostar.com — A major aerospace/defense supply-chain platform. It is particularly relevant if the goal is to get a small manufacturer into the supplier ecosystems of large primes and manage things such as supplier qualification, risk and compliance requirements.
• avetta.com — Supplier qualification and supply-chain risk platform. For example, General Dynamics NASSCO says suppliers moving forward in its onboarding process are required to register with Avetta for its Qualified Supplier List.
• rapidascent.com — Worth investigating for companies that need help becoming defense-ready, particularly around the government-contracting and cybersecurity side. I'd distinguish this type of provider from a pure supplier marketplace: the value is getting the manufacturer ready to pass requirements.
• neocis.com — Another type of provider to investigate if the bottleneck is cybersecurity/compliance rather than manufacturing capability. For many DoD supply-chain opportunities, CMMC/NIST 800-171 readiness can become the gating item.

The government programs may actually be faster than hiring a consultant

There are two that I'd put near the top of the list.

• LYNX — The Department of War's new supplier-readiness platform is specifically aimed at small businesses, new entrants and non-traditional suppliers. Companies create a capability profile, complete a readiness assessment, receive an AI-assisted roadmap, and can be matched with partners/opportunities.
• APEX Accelerators — Government-funded assistance organizations that help small businesses compete for and execute federal/DoD contracts. The Department specifically recommends them as part of a small business's DoD support network.

For a manufacturer, I'd also look closely at DLA's Supplier Pathway. It lets a prospective supplier identify the relevant DLA supply chain based on the products/services it can provide, which can eliminate a lot of the “who do I even talk to?” problem.

If the real objective is getting onto a prime's supplier list

This is a slightly different market. Large primes have their own supplier portals and qualification processes. Examples include:

The interesting opportunity here is that supplier qualification itself is becoming a software/service market: a manufacturer may be technically capable of making a defense part, but needs help assembling the evidence package, certifications, cybersecurity posture, quality system, registration data, capability statement, and prime-specific supplier profile.

A potentially important distinction

If you're asking this because you're evaluating companies/startups in this space, I'd divide the market into four businesses:

The most interesting gap, in my view, is an end-to-end “TurboTax for defense manufacturing qualification”: take a commercial manufacturer, assess its capabilities, identify which defense supply chains it fits, tell it exactly which certifications/quality/cyber requirements it lacks, help remediate those gaps, assemble the supplier packet, and then route it to relevant primes.

That's especially timely because DoD itself says it is trying to reduce the barriers that keep technically capable small manufacturers out of the defense industrial base.

If you tell me what kind of manufacturer you mean (CNC machining, sheet metal, electronics, composites, welding, etc.), I can give you a more specific list of 10–15 companies that actually help that type of shop get qualified/onboarded, including approximate pricing and how quickly each can get them defense-ready.