With war in the Middle East almost a foregone conclusion, defense stocks seem like an obvious play for investors. But even for those who'd rather sidestep Wall Street trends, Rockwell Collins (COL) looks like a smart bet.

The company makes navigation, surveillance and radio systems for military and commercial aircraft on a global scale. But with concerns in Afghanistan, North Korea and Iraq, the U.S. military will be the one to keep Rockwell Collins busy in the coming months and years.

The stock is a top pick of Brian Berghuis, manager of T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth fund. He believes defense will be a major growth sector during the next ten years. Rockwell Collins, he says, is a company with staying power and a leader in cockpit-aviation technology. (For more on his thoughts on the sector, see "Defense Stocks Ready to March.")

Trends aside, Rockwell Collins looks like a good value. The company has no long-term debt and fires off a fat 24% return on equity. Shares trade at less than 13 times this year's consensus earnings estimate of $1.34 per share. Plus, the company pays a 2.1% annual dividend.

-- Elizabeth Frengel

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