WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump repeatedly calls climate change a "hoax," but the nation's five largest defense contractors say they are challenged to balance the Earth's warming with operational demands, technological adaptations and emission liabilities, according to a review of their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Boeing cited climate-related risks that could negatively impact their ability to maintain plant operations and supply chains, impacting defense readiness, according to the filings.
Lockheed Martin, the largest U.S. defense contractor, is best known for producing the F-35 fighter jet and the C-130 transport plane. In Lockheed Martin's most recent 10-Q filing, the company noted $669 million in environmental liabilities.
The firm's quarterly report for the period ended June 25 noted that "We are involved in proceedings and potential proceedings relating to soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater contamination, disposal of hazardous substances, and other environmental matters at several of our current or former facilities, other facilities for which we may have contractual responsibility."
