Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Generative Design, and the Future of Engineering and Manufacturing”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting Thursday, July 6, 2023

Work by engineers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is showing that computer-aided design software powered by artificial intelligence can develop aerospace structures that are not only stronger and lighter but are also developed more quickly than currently possible with human involvement. The result is often alien-looking bones structures that evolve via rapid iterations into their final form.

Two NASA engineers recently attempted to face off against one such AI program, Autodesk Fusion 360, in designing an aluminum bracket for a high-altitude balloon mission. The result? The AI program produced 31-part design iterations in 1 hr., while the two engineers—despite working at a fast clip—produced four designs over two days.

These so-called generative design tools, which have emerged in the past few years, combined with 3D printing, could potentially upend the conventional design and manufacturing process, promising stronger, lighter and faster-to-create parts.

Please join us on Thursday, July 6, 2023, (Networking & Breakfast: 7:00-7:30am, Meeting: 7:30-9:00am) for an insightful presentation by Garrett Reim, Space & Emerging Technologies Editor, Aviation Week & Space Technology, to understand how the revolutionary tools of today are shaping the future of manufacturing.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $30 (until June 29, $40 thereafter) for Non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflajul23.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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“Selling Your Business for Maximum Value in a Competitive M&A Process” and Tour of COC Aerospace

Ventura County Chapter meeting on June 30, 2023

Please join us for an in-person meeting on Friday, June 30, 8:00–10:00am PST when Kevin Berson, President, Kinected Advisors, will describe:
• How professional buyers value businesses
• Valuation examples from live deals
• Eight ways business Owners can increase valuation
• A case study on a successful sale of aerospace parts manufacturer

The meeting will take place at COC Aerospace at the Camarillo Airport. The presentation will be followed by a tour.

The meeting is free for members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfvcjun23.eventbrite.com.

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

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“Aerospace & Defense M&A Market Trends & Valuations”

National Online Forum webinar on Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Please join us on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 8:00-9:00 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 members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfnofjul23.eventbrite.com.

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

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“Presentation and Tour of Aircraft Component Repair, Inc.”

Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter on June 20, 2023

Please join us on Tuesday, June 20, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:15-7:45am & Meeting & Tour: 7:45–9:00am) for networking, presentation, and a tour of Aircraft Component Repair, Inc. 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.

ACR is a machine shop and engineering company owned and operated by engineers specializing in performing Standard CMM / OHM repairs, ACR-Developed repairs, and one-time reclamation repairs. ACR has a group of highly trained and motivated machinists working on a myriad of equipment; such as lathes, mills, NC Jig Grinders, Presses, and many other machinery onsite. The engineers’ combined work experience and expertise is exemplified by the superior workmanship of each ACR repaired or reclaimed component that is returned to our customers.
ACR is an FAA, EASA, China CAAC, Thai DGAC and Indonesian DGAC approved repair station, and a leading subcontractor to the airline industry, developing and performing unique piece-part repairs on aircraft components.

The location of the meeting is at Aircraft Component Repair in Valencia. Attendance is limited to twenty (20) attendees and members of the local A&D manufacturing community will have priority. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until June 13 ($45 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvjun23.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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“Advancing AI to Enable a Safe & Secure World”

National Online Forum webinar on Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Accelerating the integration of advanced digital technologies is key to supporting a safe and secure world in this increasingly complex battlespace.

Please join us at 8:00-9:00am Pacific Time on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, when Justin Taylor, VP of Artificial Intelligence, Lockheed Martin will discuss how we must innovate with urgency, partner with industry leaders, and transform the industry alongside our customers to support the development and deployment of reliable, traceable, and governable AI-based capabilities.

The meeting is free for members and $25 for non-members For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfnofjun23.eventbrite.com.

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

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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.