The consolidation efforts come as defense contractors prepare for cuts in defense spending.

Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, says he expects the defense industry to go through a period of profound change as it adjusts to a new era of less spending.

According to the National Journal, Carter says on occasion DoD will intervene by blocking a transaction deemed excessively focused on the short term, and if the long-term risk analysis was poorly-executed.

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