Richard Safran: Chris, last year, I’m going to try two, because I think they’re quick. So your letter indicates you’re getting compensated for inflation on new contracts. I was just wondering on existing fixed price contracts, is the government allowing you any adjustments based on higher unforeseen costs? And if so, would that the upside to your guide? Second question is Chris, just given your knowledge on €“ I asked this of your competitors. It seems to be just a general view that, as we move into a deficit reduction, defense is going to be the bill payer. I was kind of curious about, though, your view of sentiment on the Hill and for continued defense spending and funding modernization? Thanks.
Chris Kubasik: Yeah. Thanks, Rich. On the first one, we have not received any compensation for inflation on fixed price contracts nor have we asked for any. Similar to COVID expenses and others, we just absorbed it as part of the business. I just kind of feel like we survived the these three years, and everything is looking much better on the upside. Obviously, if we got money, that would be upside. But as of now, we’re just moving forward and focused on the new contracts. If something changes or if the DoD encourages us to bring forward a claim of some sort, we’ll do it. But there have to be clear documentation. It’s not as easy as you would think to prove that. On the deficit reduction, it’s something we’re all watching. I referenced in the letter.
And we’re excited to actually have a defense budget to start our fiscal year. So a shout-out to everybody in the lame-duck section €“ the lame-duck session for getting that done. And it’s a big deal for us and a big deal for the industry and probably even a bigger deal for the Department of Defense. So I think that’s the type of thing that gives us confidence in the future. I mean, one thing is for certain. It’s really hard to predict how that’s going to kind of play out. I’m really not in the camp that thinks DoD is going to be the bill payer. I know, there’s some rhetoric around that. People say things to get different leadership positions in Congress. But when you look at the threats out there, it’s just hard to justify flattening or reducing the defense budget, and it’s a dangerous world.
And that comes back to these acquisitions and looking what’s going to matter at the end of the day and what the future fight is. And it’s situational awareness with ISR, it’s resilient comms, and it’s munitions. So I like where we are relative to those positions, Rich.
Chris Kubasik: So I think with that, we’ll wrap up. So I appreciate everybody calling in. I’m a big believer in momentum, and I feel like we have the beginning of some momentum with two consecutive quarters of growth, some acquisitions. I don’t know if you can hear it in my voice and Michelle’s, but we’re really excited about the future and what the potential brings. And I know the initial feedback from the ViaSat employees has been all positive and the Aerojet Rocketdyne employees. And we’ve actually heard from many of the former Aerojet Rocketdyne employees who are also excited about the transaction. So, we’re going to focus on the closing, get this deal done. And once it’s closed, we’re looking forward to connecting with any former Aerojet Rocketdyne employees and welcome them back if they’re passionate about the mission.
