A defense contractor manufacturing components for American military aircraft and missile systems is facing scrutiny over concerns about its CEO’s connections to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence networks. Jerry Wang, who leads S&L Aerospace Metals LLC, has been linked to organizations affiliated with China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), which operates as an influence arm of the CCP.
S&L Aerospace has secured millions in defense contracts, providing critical parts for fighter jets, helicopters, and missile launchers. The company also holds a seat on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) council dedicated to safeguarding critical manufacturing infrastructure. Despite this, Chinese government documents and state media reports have identified Wang as a leader in UFWD-linked groups.
Wang has appeared in multiple photographs at CCP-sponsored events, including standing alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a 2019 conference. Earlier images from 2006 show Wang presenting a gift to Xi at a New York reception. While Wang has denied affiliations with foreign political entities, his legal team has not disputed the authenticity of these images.
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chair of the House Select Committee on the CCP, expressed concerns over the presence of CCP-linked individuals in U.S. defense supply chains. Former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst L.J. Eads also warned that allowing individuals tied to foreign governments access to military production posed serious security risks.
The Pentagon has yet to provide a response regarding S&L Aerospace’s contracts or its CEO’s documented presence at CCP-aligned events. DHS has also remained silent on whether Wang’s background was vetted before his company was granted a role in critical manufacturing security discussions.
While S&L Aerospace maintains that it operates independently of any foreign influence, the questions surrounding its leadership have fueled calls for increased scrutiny of defense contractors supplying components to the U.S. military.
