Likely brain drain puts aerospace recruitment into high gear

The aerospace and defense sector is bracing for a potential brain drain over the next decade as a generation of Cold War scientists and engineers hits retirement age and not enough qualified young Americans seek to take their place.

The problem — almost 60 percent of U.S. aerospace workers in 2007 were 45 or older — could affect national security and even close the door on commercial products that start out as military technology, industry officials said.

While U.S. universities are awarding 2 1/2 times more engineering, math and computer science degrees than they did 40 years ago, defense companies must compete with the likes of Google, Microsoft and Verizon for the best and the brightest.

By JOELLE TESSLER
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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