The CEO of an American defense company producing fighter jet and missile components has been linked to organizations tied to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence operations. Jerry Wang, head of S&L Aerospace Metals LLC, has appeared at multiple CCP functions, raising concerns about foreign influence in U.S. military contracting.
S&L Aerospace has been awarded significant contracts from the Pentagon, supplying critical parts for Lockheed Martin and Boeing aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Despite its defense sector role, Wang has been identified in Chinese government records as a senior member of groups associated with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an agency known for advancing China’s strategic interests abroad.
Photos and official state media reports show Wang attending CCP events for years. In one widely circulated image, he is seen applauding Xi Jinping at a 2019 conference, while earlier photos from 2006 show him personally interacting with Xi at a reception in New York. His legal team has denied political affiliations but did not contest the validity of these images.
Security experts have warned that Wang’s ties to Chinese government-linked groups could pose risks to national security. “Giving access to someone with these connections is a major intelligence vulnerability,” said former U.S. Air Force analyst L.J. Eads.
S&L Aerospace also holds a seat on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) council tasked with overseeing security in critical manufacturing. Despite mounting concerns, the company has not provided clarification on Wang’s links to CCP-aligned groups.
Neither DHS nor the Department of Defense has commented on the situation. With lawmakers calling for immediate action, the presence of foreign-linked individuals in U.S. military contracting is now under increased scrutiny.
