Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Aviation Digital Transformation: Tangible Results and the Future” – OC Chapter Meeting

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on June 1, 2023

Our lives have been reshaped by a digital transformation that moves incredibly fast. The latest technologies such as blockchain and large language models (think Chat GPT) are inundating us daily with new possibilities. However, because of the complexity and safety criticalness of our industry’s products that require a measured approach to any new technology, A&D is notoriously slow to innovate.

As a result, A&D has been talking about a digital transformation for years with terms such as Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Additive Manufacturing. But how much impact this transformation has had so far isn’t always clear. Many of these technologies do not yet have widespread adoption in the A&D industry, and others, such as Additive, are still largely used for development and have not made the leap to production.

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, June 1, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:00-7:30am & Meeting: 7:30–9:00am) when our panelists Nathan Kwok (EVP Sales & Marketing, Safran), Jean-Marc Lemaitre (EVP, SkyThread), and Moderator Elijah Dobrusin (VP Sales & Marketing, Leach International) will share their perspectives on the latest digital trends and the technologies that have been driving manufacturing and development improvements. They will also present leading-edge technologies, such as Blockchain, which holds the potential to revolutionize how we track and manage parts. They will also share other key developments on the horizon that will revolutionize the aviation industry.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after May 25). Click here for more information and to register to attend the meeting.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.

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“Aviation and Defense Markets… What Lies Ahead?”

Los Angeles Chapter webinar on May 19, 2023

The Aerospace Industry is now all about the supply side. Demand in most major market segments remains quite strong, with very few risks. The military side of the industry looks set for transformational growth. But production delays and other risks have proven to be both enduring and frustrating. When will the situation improve, and what will output look like in five years?

Richard Aboulafia is a leading aviation analyst, and a highly sought after speaker. Many of you have likely attended one of Richard’s past presentations to the A&D Forum. He consistently ranks as one of our top speakers, so we hope you will join us for a comprehensive look at the commercial and defense markets.

Please join us online on Friday, May 19, 2023, 8:00AM – 9:00AM to hear information that will be valuable in charting your path forward with an appreciation for the forces that will be affecting your customers.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $30 for Non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflamay23.eventbrite.com/.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is hosted by Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell and sponsored by Moss Adams and Fifth Third Bank.

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“Second Half Outlook for Aerospace & Defense”

National Online Forum webinar on Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Please join us at 8:00-9:00am Pacific Time on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, when George Ferguson, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Senior Aerospace, Defense and Airline analyst will discuss the outlook for aircraft manufacturers and suppliers in the back half of 2023 and beyond. Discussion will include delivery expectations for Boeing and Airbus and limiters such as supply chain. Potential for Boeing inventory liquidation and balance sheet effects.

We’ll include a delivery and demand outlook will include narrowbody, widebody and regional aircraft and will include a discussion of Embraer’s commercial aircraft division. We’ll also talk about recent trends at the engine makers and how long margins will be boosted by strong spare parts demand.

To round out the discussion, we’ll include analysis of China’s recovery and the effects on aircraft deliveries and airline health in that country and Southeast Asia. As well as the competitive effects of their homegrown competitor, the Comac C919.

The meeting is free for members and $25 for non-members For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfnofmay23.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

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“The X-59 – Pioneering Quiet Supersonic Flight”

Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter on May 16, 2023

The return of supersonic passenger air travel will soon be one step closer to reality. The X-59 is part of NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstration mission and will demonstrate aircraft that can fly at supersonic speeds with a greatly reduced sonic signature – a soft thump rather than the disruptive boom currently associated with current supersonic flight. This is the next logical step in our path to enabling the industry’s decision to open supersonic travel for the flying public.

Please join us in Valencia on Tuesday, May 16, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:15-7:45am & Meeting: 7:45–9:00am) when David Richardson, X-59 Program Director, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, will take us through the concept and the test program. He will discuss the challenges and how the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works© has met them.

Of interest to ADF members and guests will be the unique design features of the configuration and the pilot interface. Mr. Richardson will also tell us about the challenges of finding suppliers for one-of-a-kind aircraft.

The location of the meeting is at College of the Canyons. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until May 9 ($45 thereafter). Registration closes at 7:15am on Monday May 15. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvmay23.eventbrite.com/.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Santa Clarita Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

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“Energy: Impact and Solutions for Southern California Aerospace Suppliers”

South Bay Chapter webinar on Wednesday, May 10, 2023

When Aerospace suppliers in Southern California are asked what their main concerns are these days, some of the main areas mentioned are labor, supply chain dynamics, access to raw material, throughput of outside processors and energy costs.

The manufacturing community is highly dependent on the reliance of a consistent energy supply at a manageable cost.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 8:00-9:00 am Pacific Time, when Tod Sword, Economic Development Consultant, Customer Engagement Division, Southern California Edison, who assists the business communities in the South Bay, Orange County and Westside Los Angeles, will talk about many areas concerning energy, including the following topics:

• Learn about California & Federal economic incentives that can offer tax relief, hiring and training grants and tax credits for your business
• SCE Rate Reduction Strategies
• SCE Special Rates and Energy Saving Resources
• Learn about SCE’s Electric Vehicle programs to help “Green” your fleet
• Find Power Ready & Fiber Ready sites for your expansion with SCE’s GIS-Power Site Search Tool
• What is involved if I need a power upgrade?

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $25 (until May 3, $35 thereafter) for Non-members. Click here for more information and to register to attend the meeting.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The South Bay Chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.

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“No such thing as luck— Building for the Digital Future of the Aerospace & Defense Enterprise”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on May 4, 2023

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, May 4, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:00-7:30am & Meeting: 7:30–9:00am) when Robert (Bob) Deragisch, Senior Digital and IT Manager at Parker Aerospace, will explore the following key themes:

• Digital safety- Trends shaping Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and compliance
• Digital modeling- How the pathways have changed, and what it means from an integration and alignment perspective
• Model Based Extended Enterprise- How rethinking the experience from concept to end user offers transformative potential to boost performance, increase speed, and reduce scrap and rework

Bob will be sharing best practices and his perspective on strategies for success across these dynamic areas.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after April 27). Click here for more information and to register to attend the meeting.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.

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“Presentation and Tour of FMI Aerostructures”

Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter on April 25, 2023

Please join us on Tuesday, April 25, 7:15-9:00am Pacific Time for a networking, presentation, and a tour of FMI Aerostructures in Valencia. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with fellow SCV A&D industry executives, as well as see a large-scale structures and machining operation. FMI supports military, space, and commercial programs. Their key customers, include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Blue Origin.

FMI Aerostructures has comprehensive manufacturing and assembly capabilities housed in its state-of-the-art 240,000 sq. ft. facility. With 3,4,5 & 6-axis vertical and horizontal machining, they are approved for fracture, durability, maintenance, and flight science critical components. In addition to its core offering of complex manufacturing of components and assemblies covering most alloys and parts of any size—they also offer a variety of value-added services such as assembly and supply chain management.

The location of the meeting is at FMI Aerostructures in Valencia. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until April 15 ($45 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvapr23.eventbrite.com/.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Santa Clarita Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

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“The Great A&D Ramp-Up”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on April 21, 2023

After several years of turmoil, the aviation industry is preparing for the “Great Ramp-Up,” a period of increased demand for commercial and defense aircraft that will pose significant challenges to the industry.

A&D Suppliers must focus on executing the basics to meet the challenges of the supercycle, which will see Airbus and Boeing produce their highest-ever rates of monthly new commercial aircraft by 2026.

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, April 21, 2023, 7:00AM – 9:00AM, when Alex Krutz, the Managing Director at Patriot Industrial Partners and regular contributor to Aviation Week, will speak real world perspectives that every manufacturer and service provider should hear. He will discuss Initiatives to improve production systems and increase throughput and profitability are crucial during this period.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $30 (until April 14, $40 thereafter) for Non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflaapr23.eventbrite.com/.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is hosted by Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell and sponsored by Moss Adams and Fifth Third Bank.

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“Aerospace & Defense M&A Market Trends & Valuations” – SB Chapter

South Bay Chapter meeting in El Segundo on Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Please join us on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 7:00-9:00 am Pacific Time, when Stephen R. Perry, Managing Director, Janes Capital Partners, will explore the following key themes:

• New and emerging sources of A&D capital and financing
• A&D valuation multiples, drivers and trends
• Leading A&D strategic and financial acquirers
• Aerospace & Defense M&A activity by sector, geography
• Surrogate M&A activity: SPAC’s, VC, JV’s, clusters
• Aerospace & Defense M&A challenges and opportunities going forward

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $30 (until April 5, $40 thereafter) for Non-members. Click here for more information and to register to attend the meeting.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The South Bay Chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.