Aerospace Defense Forum

By Leave a Comment

“What Lies Ahead in Aviation Digital Transformation”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on August 1

The digital industrial revolution is reshaping every industry including Aerospace & Defense which spans the entire global spectrum from family owned business to corporate titans with activities focused on Digital Transformation, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Additive Manufacturing. Many companies are striving to adapt to this rapidly changing disruptive technology while other are falling behind. GE Aviation is actively using and developing new digital tools to help drive better business outcomes for customers such as airlines, lessors, and including GE Aviation global manufacturing plants.

• GE Aviation will share views on how companies are applying Digital Transformation
• Highlight examples of digital solutions: full flight data, technical aircraft records, digital tools for pilots and companies
• How companies are using machine learning to improve business decision outcomes

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, August 1, 7:30–9:00am, when Gib Bosworth, Executive Director of GE Aviation Digital, and Jon Dunsdon, Chief Technology Officer of GE Aviation Digital, will provide digital insights and an overview of what Digital Transformation means to GE Aviation and their customers. Gib and Jon will share their perspectives on the latest digital trends and what it means for the aviation industry and how companies are adjusting to this new reality. They will also discuss how “Big Iron” and “Big Data” are being harmonized to create actionable business decisions to improve asset optimization and overall business productivity.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 25). Non-members may guest twice for free. Click here to register to attend the meeting.

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

The Orange County chapter is sponsored by .Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, D.A. Davidson & Co. and InVista Associates.

By Leave a Comment

“How to Maximize your Trade Show, Symposium, or Conference ROI”

San Diego Chapter meeting on July 23

Meeting location: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130-2006
Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 23
Meeting Time:
Registration and Networking: 5:30 p.m.
Meeting: 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Have you attended a conference or sponsored a trade show and ever wondered if you had a return on your investment? While the trade show industry booms under high hopes of Aerospace and Defense spending, Industry still lags on where to place their precious marketing dollars. The San Diego Chapter of the Aerospace and Defense Forum invites you to our July networking event where we will hear from an expert panel that specializes in maximizing your event ROI. Our valued panel will address:

• Preparation for events such as the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Navy Gold Coast Conference
• How to quantify your return from events
• Learn how to maximize your ROI at all events

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019 (registration & networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when the event will begin with networking followed by a panel of experts: Jesse Hamilton (Moderator) ( Vice President, Sentek Global), Lindsey Head (CFO, J Public Relations, Inc.), Michael K. Lindsey (Senior Capture Manager, SAIC), and Michael Parente (Business Development Manager – San Diego, Saalex Solutions).

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 16). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdjul19.eventbrite.com.

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

The San Diego chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, LevitZacks, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

By Leave a Comment

Professional Paranoia: Leadership & Management Lessons from the USS Zumwalt

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on July 19

NOTE: Building security policy. All attendees must register no less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting or they will not be allowed entrance to the building.

Captain Scott Tait served as Commanding Officer of the USS Zumwalt from 2016 to November 2018. During his tour, the ship transitioned from a pre-commissioned unit at the building yard in Bath, Maine to an operational ship in the Pacific Fleet.

Zumwalt is arguably the most technologically ambitious project undertaken by any Navy since HMS Dreadnought was launched by the British in 1906. The ship incorporates a host of new capabilities, operating concepts and a drastically reduced manpower model. Its radical and innovative design introduced significant tension with the Navy’s existing framework of training, certifying, organizing and operating. The ship’s cutting edge cyber systems and unique, enduring relationship with industry placed it in the cross-hairs of the emerging great power competition with China and Russia.

Please join us in Century City on Friday, July 19, 7:30–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), when Captain Tait will provide a brief overview of the Zumwalt’s background and capabilities, then discuss lessons in leadership and management that are relevant for the business world’s evolving competitive environment.

The tools and insights that helped him succeed should be of benefit to anybody leading a fast moving, tech-centric organization in today’s dynamic business world.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after July 11). Guests may attend two chapter meetings for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflajul19.eventbrite.com.

The LA chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by RSM, California Bank & Trust, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, Stanton Chase, and Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell.

By Leave a Comment

“2019 International Paris Air Show: Impressions & Opinions”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on July 16

Meeting Location: City National Bank,
15260 Ventura Blvd., 16th floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Meeting Date: July 16, 2019
Meeting Time: Doors open at 7am, Meeting 7:30-9:00am

The 2019 Paris Air Show (or Le Bourget) was really all about uncertainty – the uncertainty heading into the airshow was the highest it has been in several years. All this uncertainty is driven by the state of the market, the grounding of the 737 MAX and what that means to the market, significant continued consolidation, changing dynamics, changing technology, the impact of Brexit (again) and the impact of growing defense programs.

Going into the show, there were nine key topics to watch for at the show:
• The continued grounding of the 737 MAX and when it will return to service?
• What is the health of the commercial aircraft cycle – will we see the new aircraft order bonanzas of previous shows or is the bubble ready to pop?
• New aircraft model introductions – will we see NMA or will Boeing opt for NSA, will we see the new A321 XLR, or maybe others?
• The changes in the regional aircraft market – Bombardier and Embraer exit, so what happens now with MRJ and COMAC?
• Consolidation continues – Raytheon/UTC a merger of equals, Boeing acquires EnCore, L3 merges with Harris, what’s next
• There is a growing demand for fighter aircraft because of aging fleets and higher levels of defense spending – what will the future look like?
• Electric, hybrid and eVTOL aircraft – how close to reality and who are the players?
• Urban mobility – when will we see this and who are the key players?
• How will the aviation industry address sustainability and being more “green”?

The show itself seemed to be a little more lightly attended than previous shows, reflecting the uncertainty; however the Paris Air Show always manages to be interesting. While the airshow did not provide definitive answers on all the important issues, we did have more than a few surprises.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, July 16, 7:30am–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), to hear a first-hand account from David Conrad, Director, Business Development, PTI Technologies, Inc., and to find out some possible answers to the major questions facing our industry.

The meeting is free for members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 9). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvjul19.eventbrite.com.

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

The San Fernando Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by RSM, Chubb, Bolton & Company, City National Bank and InVista Associates.

By Leave a Comment

“911 Drones”

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on July 10

Drone usage continues to grow and grow. They are used in the military, in law enforcement and for private use.

Come join us on July 10, 7:30-9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am) for a presentation by Barry Brennan of Flying Lion, a leading authority on drones and their applications. Barry will enlighten us with a brief history of drones, discuss the challenges and regulations in place by the FAA for drones and give us examples of drone usage in law enforcement. In addition, you will learn about the future of drone use in ways you would have never thought possible.

A Q & A period will follow Barry’s presentation that will give you a chance to find out everything you may be curious about when it comes to drones.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $40 for Non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 3). Guests may attend for free for a max of two chapter meetings. Register to attend at: https://adfsbjul19.eventbrite.com.

The South Bay Chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

By Leave a Comment

“Collaboration with Industrial Participation”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on June 13

Meeting location: Cresa Real Estate Company
2398 E Camelback Road, Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Meeting Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019
Meeting Time:
Networking: 5:30-6:00pm
Meeting: 6:00-7:00pm

Please join us in Phoenix, AZ on Thursday, June 13, 5:30-7:00pm (networking and refreshments at 5:30pm), when Ligia McLean, Manager, Boeing Defense Global Sales & Marketing will cover how to find an opportunity for your company to collaborate with international companies.

The presentation will provide an opportunity to create new thought processes and explore methodologies to get into an international market.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum, AZTC, and Americans Aerospace Cluster members ($30 for non-members until June 6, $40 thereafter). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazjun19.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The meeting is hosted by the Cresa Real Estate Company.

By Leave a Comment

LauncherOne: Enabling Affordable Responsive Space Missions

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on June 21

NOTE: Building security policy. All attendees must register no less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting or they will not be allowed entrance to the building.

The dynamics of world politics, and the ever evolving and rapidly changing threat profiles are driving the DOD and intelligence communities to closely evaluate private space enterprises for responsive and flexible launch solutions. Virgin Orbit, with the development of the LauncherOne vehicle, is at the forefront of providing just such capability.

Please join us in Century City on Friday, June 21, 7:30–9:00am, when Mandy Vaughn, President of VOX Space, will discuss:

• Virgin Orbit’s efforts to date
• The development of LauncherOne, a small satellite launch vehicle, air-launched from a 747 carrier aircraft, and
• Introduce VOX Space, a subsidiary company of Virgin Orbit, that is responsible for the program management, mission management and systems engineering for our National Security Space missions

This briefing will give you an in-depth introduction to the LauncherOne system and small satellite market, and VOX Space’s role in the small satellite and responsive space eco-system from a mission perspective and how that impacts their team composition and interactions with the customers. Mandy will share her perspectives on the small satellite and “new space” market sector. Finally, we’ll look at some of the possible improvements/changes to “business as usual” that may foster increased utilization of small satellites into the National Security Space community and help improve system resiliency.

The small launch vehicle is a burgeoning area of the space industry and SoCal aerospace market, and this is an opportunity to hear firsthand from an executive leading an innovative team to help meet the national security launch demand.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after June 13). Guests may attend two chapter meetings for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflajun19.eventbrite.com.

The LA chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by RSM, California Bank & Trust, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, Stanton Chase, and Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell.

By Leave a Comment

Annual State of the Industry Roundtable

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on June 12

Join with the South Bay Chapter Steering Committee on June 12, 7:30-9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am) for a roundtable discussion on the insights, observations, trends and challenges within the Aerospace Industry today.

We all read and hear about the growth and hurdles of various commercial and military programs. But how do those aspects affect the Supply Chain? Many of us see how the industry is doing from more of a “boots on the ground” perspective but everyone involved in the aerospace industry has their own unique perspective on where the industry is today and where it is headed.

We encourage you to attend, share your insights and contribute to a robust discussion about the state of Southern California aerospace today.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $40 for Non-members ($30 Early Bird until June 5). Guests may attend for free for a max of two chapter meetings. Register to attend at: https://adfsbjun19.eventbrite.com.

The South Bay Chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

By Leave a Comment

“Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Production”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on June 6

For centuries scientist and engineers have dreamed about the almost impossible idea of objects appearing out of thin air. With rapid technological advances over the last 25 years the impossible is now possible. Enter today’s world of Additive Manufacturing.

In a race to stay competitive, Aerospace Manufacturers have been learning how to leverage these incredible new technologies to address challenges such as fuel efficiency, customization, and on-demand manufacturing.

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, June 6, 7:30–9:00am, when Mark Fullen – Additive Manufacturing Aerospace Lead from Stratasys will share insightful information on how Additive Manufacturing Technologies are impacting Aerospace Production. You will gain an understanding of key Production applications and the factors to consider when applying Additive Manufacturing as a Production tool.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until May 30). Non-members may guest twice for free. Click here to register to attend the meeting.

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

The Orange County chapter is sponsored by .Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, D.A. Davidson & Co. and InVista Associates.