Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Fuel Cells in Aviation: Next Generation Power Generation”

“Fuel Cells in Aviation: Next Generation Power Generation”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on April 5

Although fuel cells have been used in space exploration for many years and are starting to gain traction in the automotive market, their promise of reduced emissions, lower noise and regenerative power are now making them more attractive for aircraft applications.

Join us in Irvine on Thursday, April 5, 7:30–9:00am, when Matt McConnell, Engineering Manager, Parker Hannifin, Aerospace Group, will discuss how fuel cells can be applied to aircraft for emergency power, auxiliary power, electric taxi and propulsion. Fuel cells are not a distant technology, having already been flight tested on commercial aircraft. Come listen to how this new technology will change the aircraft systems landscape.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 29). Click here to register to attend the meeting.

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

The OC chapter is sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, Verify and InVista Associates.
The Orange County chapter is sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, Verify, and InVista Associates.

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“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act- the Impact on Business, Investing and M&A”

“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act- the Impact on Business, Investing and M&A”

San Diego Chapter meeting on March 27

Please join us on Tuesday, March 27 (networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when our panel of industry experts Ryan Mitchell, CAIA (Wealth Manager, BNY Mellon Wealth Management), John Tishler, Esq. (Partner, Sheppard Mullin), and Bruce Strumlauf, MS, CPA (Shareholder, LevitZacks) will discuss how the recent passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act should affect businesses, investment policy and mergers and acquisitions, in 2018 and beyond.

We will explore the implications of reduced personal and corporate tax rates, tax advantaged repatriation of assets and depreciation rule changes, for growth and earnings, and discuss how business owners and investors should position themselves for the new tax regime.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 20). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdmar18.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.

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“IRIDIUM: PAST – PRESENT and NEXT: The Future of Global Communications”

“IRIDIUM: PAST – PRESENT and NEXT: The Future of Global Communications”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on March 23

In a world where global communications on land, at sea and in the skies are increasingly critical, Iridium operates the world’s largest commercial constellation, with a mesh architecture of 66 cross-linked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites plus spares. The Iridium NEXT project augments the original system capability.

Despite overwhelming odds the Iridium team threw away virtually every standard practice in the space industry, created new models for manufacturing and mega-project management, produced a satellite a week, put 72 satellites in orbit in 13 months and completed the $5B system on schedule and on budget.

Please join us on March 23 (a change from our normal meeting date), 7:30-9:00am, when Durrell Hillis, (Ret) Senior Vice President and General Manager, Motorola’s Systems Solutions Group (SSG), and author of “The Creation of Iridium” will share his thoughts and passion documenting the creativity, hard work, and dogged determination by a talented team of Motorola employees working in the Arizona desert to launch the world’s first global satellite phone system resulting in one of the great technological achievements of our time.

In addition, David Cubbage, Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Iridium NEXT Satellite Production, will provide insight into the Iridium Next program that is replacing the original Iridium constellation after a system lifetime lasting more than10 years beyond the expected. This larger Iridium® ecosystem includes over 300 value-added partners who leverage the company’s unique network to manufacture, develop, market and support innovative applications for a variety of different markets and industries.

Join us and learn how you can be part of and contribute towards enhancing the global communications network.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members until March 16, $40 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazmar18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

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Tour of Triumph Aerospace Structures – Red Oak

Tour of Triumph Aerospace Structures – Red Oak

DFW Chapter tour at Triumph Aerospace Structures – Red Oak on April 12

Please join us on Thursday, April 12, 7:00-9:00am when Tour Host: Peter Weaver, Sr. Engineering Manager and Tour Guide: Tim Ellis, Sr. Engineering Manager, Manufacturing take us on a tour of Triumph Aerospace Structures – Red Oak. This facility specializes in the manufacturing and assembly of large major composite and metal integrated airframe systems for military and commercial aircraft programs. This will be a tour of building 1 focusing on manufacturing and assembly operations of the Bombardier Global 7000 Wing, the industry’s largest purpose built business jet.

Registration closes at 12noon CST Monday April 9.

Tour limited to 20 attendees who are US Persons (Citizens or Permanent Residents) and employed by companies incorporated in the USA. No Foreign Nationals and No Visitors employed by Foreign Companies.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members (exclusive access for members until March 26, $40 for non-members, $30 Early Bird until April 2). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to https://adfdfwapr18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by Frost Brown Todd.

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“Winning Business in Today’s Aerospace Supply Chain”

“Winning Business in Today’s Aerospace Supply Chain: What Small Companies Need to Know”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on March 20

Small companies need to understand the changing dynamics within the aerospace supply chain. What might have worked five or ten years ago, may not win contracts today. To maximize your chances for success, it’s critical to understand not only your prospective customer’s requirements, but also the requirements they face further up in the food chain.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, March 20, 7:30–9:00am, when Jim Simpkins, former president of Meggitt Safety Systems and Meggitt Control Systems, will share his perspectives based on selecting small aerospace companies to be part of Meggitt’s supply chain. In addition, his experience of winning business from Tier 1 suppliers like UTAS, provides a valuable perspective for small aerospace manufacturers to understand.

The discussion will cover key challenges and requirements for today’s A&D suppliers, including:
• New Terms and Conditions
• Quality and Delivery expectations (and what happens if you don’t achieve them)
• Lean – it is more about parts than charts
• Customer Satisfaction – not just scorecards
• Providing “services wrapped around products”

The meeting is free for members and $45 ($30 Early Bird until March 13) for non-members. Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvmar18.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 CohnReznick, City National Bank, and InVista Associates.

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Tour of SpaceX

Tour of SpaceX

OC Chapter meeting in Hawthorne on June 7

Note: This tour is sold out. However, you can register for the wait list.

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets.

Join us in Hawthorne on Thursday, June 7, 7:30–9:00am, when we will see one of the most interesting manufacturing facilities in the world. SpaceX performs 80% of the needed manufacturing in-house at the Hawthorne facility, and thus a wide variety of manufacturing processes will be seen, from welding to composites. Engineering is also close to the manufacturing line to quickly handle problems.

The floors and the facility are so clean there is no wall between the 2-level cafeteria and the manufacturing floor. Mission Control is located on the manufacturing floor (with a level floor so employees can see everything). Note the expressions of the workforce – motivated like those of few other companies.

The meeting is free for members (exclusive access until April 9) & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until April 16). 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 D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, and InVista Associates.

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“Blockchain for the Supply Chain”

“Blockchain for the Supply Chain”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on March 16

Aerospace and defense are industries characterized by complex products, deep supply chains, and a decades-long aftermarket with multiple, often shifting, participants. Significant investment, effort, and technology have yielded progress in managing these areas, but the need for continued industry growth and efficiency demands more.

Blockchain is an emerging technology being leveraged for industry growth and efficiency. At its core, Blockchain is a transactional record that maintains and records data in a way that allows multiple stakeholders to share access to the same data and information confidently and securely.

Popularized in the world of crypto-currencies, Blockchain has gained increasing attention in manufacturing environments and other business applications. Blockchain offers aerospace and defense companies an intriguing value proposition to augment existing and future technology investments.

Join us in Los Angeles on Friday, March 16, 7:30–9:00am, when Barbara Bickham, CTO, Technology and Entrepreneurship, will reveal that the real value of these investments is in understanding the uplift that can be achieved by integrating Blockchain with other emerging technologies…. Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Augmented Reality.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 9). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adflamar18.eventbrite.com.

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

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, Exec-Connect, InVista Associates, and the 62 Mile Club.

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“How to Defend Against Economic Espionage”

“How to Defend Against Economic Espionage”

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on March 14

(Note: By popular demand this is the fourth chapter having this presentation.)

You’ve taken all the recommended cybesecurity actions. You have secured ITAR areas. And you welcome tours by potential global customers and suppliers to show off your unique capabilities. Did you know that you could be losing valuable IP just by granting permission to “may I touch”?

Join us in Torrance on Wednesday, March 14, 7:30–9:00am PDT, when we will screen a film produced by the FBI followed by comments by FBI Special Agent Cheney Mak.

Economic espionage is real and securing the information that makes your corporation relevant is essential for its survival.

The event is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 7). For more information and to register to attend go to http://adfsbmar18.eventbrite.com.

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

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, California United Bank, Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

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“The State of the Art in Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft”

The State of the Art in Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft

DFW Chapter meeting at Bell Helicopter, Fort Worth, on March 8

Please join us on Thursday, March 8, 7:30-8:55am when Eldon Metzger, Sr. Business Development Manager, UAS, Bell Helicopter, will give us an overview of the current state of the art in manned and unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft, including Bell Helicopter’s V280 Valor program, the V247 unmanned program and the Automatic Pod Transport (APT) autonomous vehicle. We will also hear about Bell’s recent Air Taxi Concept Experience at CES, where Bell previewed their vision of the future of urban air transportation.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members ($40 for non-members, $30 Early Bird until March 1). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfdfwmar18.eventbrite.com. Registration closes 9am CST, Monday, March 5.

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

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by Frost Brown Todd and BellNunnally.