Aerospace Defense Forum

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“How to break into the OEMs and Tier 1s as a small business”

“How to break into the OEMs and Tier 1s as a small business”

Orange County Chapter meeting on October 5

Westworld Associates was formed in 1978 by a retired executive from Lockheed. The primary purpose was to provide sales and marketing services to companies with a desire to expand their customer base as well as to grow their current customer base within the US aerospace and defense industries.

The idea was to offer a cost-effective alternative to exploring new opportunities within the US aerospace and defense industries.

The company works directly with their clients to help develop sales and marketing plans with a focus on target customers, programs, key decision makers and execution strategies.

Today the team at Westworld Associates continues to provide support in the development of sales and marketing plans with the inclusion of certain markets in Europe and Asia.

Join us in Irvine on Thursday, October 5, 7:30– 9:00am, when Robbie Robinson, CEO of Westworld Associates will discuss the company’s approach to penetrating new customers within the US, European and Asian aerospace markets with a focus on the aerostructures segment of the industry.

The meeting is free for members ($40 non-members). 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, Hein & Associates, and Verify.

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“Motivo: Engineering Innovation across Diverse Industries”

“Motivo: Engineering Innovation across Diverse Industries”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on October 20

Motivo Engineering is a product engineering company focused on accelerating product development in the mobility, energy, Ag tech and medical market segments. Motivo’s clients range from Airbus to Silicon Valley garage startups, and projects ranging from autonomous person carrying drones to next gen fitness machines.

For example, Motivo worked with a partnership including a leading aircraft interior manufacturer, an in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider, and a design studio to develop a next-generation premium-class airline seating experience. Motivo’s role was to accelerate the development process by rapidly engineering and prototyping a complete seating pod including a lie-flat seat, sliding tray table, and articulated monitor. The first prototype of this seating system was needed within four months to meet the planned unveiling at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. Motivo overcame numerous challenges during the build and integration process and delivered the system on-time for the AIX show.

How does Motivo develop technology that disrupts automotive manufacturing, air travel and the agriculture/food industry?

Join us in Los Angeles on Friday, October 20, 7:30–9:00am, when Praveen Penmetsa, CEO/founder of Motivo, details how a 40-person team can fulfill the distinct requirements of very diverse industries from a user and technology standpoint, and still provide the technical depth and innovation needed to succeed in these audacious projects.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until October 13). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adflaoct17.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, InVista Associates, and the 62 Mile Club

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“How to Defend Against Economic Espionage”

“How to Defend Against Economic Espionage”

San Diego Chapter meeting on October 3

You’ve taken all the recommended cybersecurity 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 San Diego on Tuesday, Oct 3, 5:30–7:45pm PDT, when we will screen a film produced by the FBI followed by comments by a FBI Special Agent.

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

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until September 26). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdoct17.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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“Leading and Managing Change”

“Leading and Managing Change”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on September 19

For A&D companies, “change is the only constant.” Forces include lean manufacturing, composites, additive manufacturing, pressures for price reductions, the challenges of a global marketplace and global competition, difficulties in accessing a skilled workforce, economic changes, and changes in a company’s customer base to name a few.
AeroVironment, founded in 1970, has faced almost all of these forces.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 19, 7:30–9:00am, when Shawn Webb, Director of Operations, AeroVironment, Inc. will discuss the changes the company chose to implement and why they were necessary. He will discuss the growth potential of the company and how it differs from their previous core business and the investment methodology AeroVironment uses to drive growth.

Shawn will discuss why the missile products business unit was chosen for the transformation due to the growth potential. He will describe the Innovation and Best Practice strategy the company developed, how they approached the process, and the steps used to meet their vision of becoming a World Class Missile Producer, including the company’s definition of World Class and Best Practices and how they lead and manage the change.

This presentation will help you deal with the changes challenging your organization.

The meeting is free for members ($30 Early Bird for non-members). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvsept17.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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“Are Drones the New First Responders?”

“Are Drones the New First Responders?”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on September 15

We all recognize that first responders have a challenging and vital role. They are called to respond to multiple incidents simultaneously, with little to no advance notice, and often to remote locations where time is a critical component of situation evaluation and mitigation.

Flying Lion was formed to address these challenges, offering Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Departments on-demand rapid aerial assessment and imaging services with remotely operated copters with built in HD and infrared cameras. “Eyes on the Scene” applications include emergency response, active shooter, SWAT, fire, crowd observation, natural disasters, search and special events.

Join us in Los Angeles on Friday, September 15, 7:30–9:00am, when Barry Brennan, Founder and President of Flying Lion will discuss the company’s role with public safety, a brief history of UAS, the current FAA requirements, and the future of UAS.

You will find this to be an interesting look at how technology is being integrated to significantly enhance public safety and the capability of first responders, and maybe see opportunities for technology integration by your company.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until September 15). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adflasept17.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, InVista Associates, and the 62 Mile Club

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“Design Considerations for Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems in Drones”

“Design Considerations for Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems in Drones”

Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter September 14 meeting

Challenges facing the growing Drone market are addressed looking at the intricacies of wiring harnesses inside drones and the dangers of having wiring that is incorrectly terminated. Empirical data from the Defense Department shows the causes and the costs associated with bad wiring harnesses and the need for increased awareness as it relates to wiring inside drones.

Please join us at Bell Helicopter in Ft. Worth on Thur, Sept 14, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30-9:00am) when Manuel Lozano, Applications Engineering Manager, Nicomatic North America / Central Region, Aerospace, Defense and Security, will cover wiring from 3 aspects.
1. How to order wire,
2. Placement of wire harness inside drones and
3. How to recognize and prevent possible pitfalls before wire harness is installed inside a drone.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members ($30 for non-members until September 7). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfdfwsept17.eventbrite.com.

Click here for a map indicating where to park and enter the facility.

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

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by BellNunnally and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).

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Today’s Star Wars Missile Defense System

“Today’s Star Wars Missile Defense System”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on September 14

Do you remember the reference to STAR WARS missile defense in the Reagan era? Do you know what STAR WARS missile defense really entails? Wouldn’t you like to know what the US Government and the Aero Space contractors have been working on to keep us safe from unfriendly nations? With all the unrest in the world today (especially now), wouldn’t you like to know what is protecting you and your family and how it works?

Join us in Phoenix on Thursday September 14, 2017 when Jim Nolton, President of Nolton Enterprises and CEO of Novocryo will tell you about the US layered missile defense system as it pertains to unfriendly offensive Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and how the system works.

This presentation will give you an inside look at the weapon system like you’ve never seen before. It will focus on and show actual footage on the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Rocket, the Exo-Kinetic Kill vehicle payload, and what happens the instant it impacts an unfriendly rocket in space.

Multiple A&D companies contribute directly or indirectly to the systems, sensors, radar and weapons that comprise the GMD. Find out where and how your company fits into the big picture.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after September 7). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazsept17.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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“Urgency for DoD Contractors – Cybersecurity Compliance Required by Dec 31, 2017”

“Urgency for DoD Contractors – Cybersecurity Compliance Required by Dec 31, 2017”

A&D Forum Meeting in Torrance, CA on Sept 13

Given the dramatic increase in successful Cyber attacks in 2017 you might expect that Aerospace and Defense suppliers would be scrambling to protect themselves. Cyber attacks have become more damaging, more frequent, and more successful. DoD’s Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) has increased communications to DoD suppliers on the compliance deadline of December 31, 2017. Even with all the evidence, many manufacturers have not started to improve their Cyber Defenses. Consequences could include loss of DoD contracts.

Please join us on Wed, Sept 13, 7:30-9:00am in Torrance, CA when Chris Buthe, Manager of Cyber Physical Security Services, CMTC, will provide OEMs and suppliers with an update from the DCMA and information on compliance.

The event is free for A&D Forum and NDIA members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until Sept 6). For more information and to register to attend go to http://adfsbsept17.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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“Persistence: The Value of Taking the Long View”

“Persistence: The Value of Taking the Long View”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on August 15

Exploring space with robots and humans requires persistence and taking the long view; it is not uncommon for mission objectives to take many years, even decades to accomplish. Although the timescales may be different, important objectives in business, and life for that matter, also require that we are persistent and take the long view; constantly taking steps to move in the direction that we want to go.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, August 15, 7:30–9:00am, when Garry Burdick, Manager, Human/Robotic Mission Systems, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will share some personal insights into our nation’s space program that might suggest some possibilities with broader application, particularly in your business.

For those interested in becoming suppliers to JPL, Garry will answer questions and make suggestions.

The meeting is free for members ($30 Early Bird for non-members). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvaug17.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.