Aerospace Defense Forum

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Tour of Northrop F/A-18 Assembly Line

South Bay Chapter meeting in El Segundo on March 13

The Northrop Grumman F/A-18 Assembly Line is housed in a historic one-million square foot facility originally built in 1942 from redwood. This plant has produced nearly 12,000 aircraft representing 14 different types.

Northrop Grumman’s F/A-18 Assembly Line produces major structural assemblies for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. Northrop Grumman (NGC) is the principal subcontractor on both aircraft to Boeing Company, the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 and EA-18G prime contractor.

The F/A-18 Assembly Line features state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that include Six Sigma and Just-in-Time manufacturing. Coupled with advanced manufacturing equipment and a disciplined, highly skilled work force, these processes allow NGC to consistently deliver high precision, high reliability military aircraft products on schedule and on budget.

The manufacturing staff works collaboratively with NGC’s specialists in engineering design, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, tooling, global supply chain, quality assurance and transportation to ensure that they continue to fulfill critical customer requirements with innovation and affordability.

Free for A&D Forum members (exclusive access until March 3), $40 for non-members ($30 after March 4 until March 7). Limited to 20 attendees. Limited to US Citizen and Green Card holders. Registration will close at 8am on Thursday, March 7. Register to attend at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-of-northrop-fa-18-assenby-line-south-bay-chapter-tickets-57612025118.

The SB Chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and InVista Associates.

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Tour of EnCore Group, Huntington Beach, CA

OC Chapter meeting and tour on March 7

EnCore is a group of three dedicated aerospace companies, each with its own specific focus, working together to create superior products and unique customer experiences. It is comprised of EnCore Interiors, LIFT by EnCore and EnCore International. Founded in 2011, EnCore is a relative newcomer to the aircraft interiors industry, but with a leadership team with a long legacy in aerospace.

EnCore Interiors is a full floor-to-floor design, manufacturing, and certification company. We offer galleys, closets, sidewalls, flooring, and other components, and work on just about anything that passengers see on the interior of an aircraft. LIFT by EnCore produces best in class aircraft seating for the commercial aviation business. EnCore International is a multi-process facility providing capability and capacity to the EnCore group while also delivering interiors directly to Boeing.

Please join us in Huntington Beach on Thursday, March 7, 7:30–9:00am, when tour participants will visit EnCore’s Huntington Beach location which develops and manufactures interiors such as galleys, class dividers and closets as well as aircraft seats. The facility is a final assembly plant and performs the product development and certification testing. Following a tour, we will conclude with a Q&A session with EnCore Group CEO, Tom McFarland.

The meeting is free for members (exclusive access until February 22) & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until February 28). Number of attendees is limited to 30. 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 and InVista Associates.

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Investing into Qualified Opportunity Zones to Maximize Tax Benefits

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on February 15

NOTE: New 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.

Recently, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created one of the most powerful tax provisions with respect to both gain exclusion and deferral, namely the Qualified Opportunity Zone Program.  In short, the Qualified Opportunity Zone Program incentivizes the long-term investment of capital into designated Qualified Opportunity Zones through three broad tax benefits.

First, taxpayers may defer capital gain by investing such gain into a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund.  Second, and subject to holding period requirements with respect to the Fund interest, taxpayers may eliminate up to 15% of such taxable gain. Third, and subject to additional holding period requirements, taxpayers can potentially eliminate all subsequent gain upon the disposition of the Fund interest itself.

Join us in Century City on Friday, February 15, 7:30–9:00am, when Bradford Cohen and Jamie Ogden, both Partners at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP will describe the general requirements, mechanics and strategies for investments into Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds in order to maximize the above tax benefits. 

The meeting is free for members & $30 for non-members ($40 after February 8). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflafeb19.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 RSM, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, InVista Associates, and the 62 Mile Club.

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Tour of TECT Power

South Bay Chapter meeting in Santa Fe Springs on February 13

TECT Power, Inc. manufactures and supplies turbine engine components and assemblies for aviation, industrial, military, and marine applications in the United States and internationally. It offers airfoils, such as blades, vanes, and diffusers; critical rotating components, including impellers, blisks and integrally bladed rotors, and disks/hubs/shafts/rings/seals; and forgings. 

TECT Power has a broad spectrum of manufacturing capabilities in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. From precision forging to 5-axis milling, to special processes.  TECT Power is specialized to offer a wide array of engine components to all the OEMs.

TECT Power has technical expertise in materials such as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, stainless steels, steel alloys, and nickel cobalt alloys. Mixing this cutting-edge know-how with our robust manufacturing capabilities and our integrated supply chain gives TECT Power the capability to be a one-stop shop. 

TECT Power, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky with locations in Ohio, California, Georgia and New York.

Free for A&D Forum members (exclusive access until January 30), $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until February 6). Limited to 20 attendees. For more information and to register to attend go to https://adfsbfeb19.eventbrite.com.

Attendees must fill out a Visitor Form  and send it to  Massimo Masini no later than 8 am on Monday, February 11.

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 Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and InVista Associates.

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“Killer Business: Leadership & Management Lessons from the USS Zumwalt”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on February 7

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 Royal Navy 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.

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, February 7, 7:30–9:00am, when Captain Tait will provide a brief overview of the Zumwalt’s background and capabilities, then discuss lessons in leadership and management gained from bringing a small, diverse crew and a unique, technologically advanced platform into a Fleet dominated by legacy processes.

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 & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until January 31). 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 and InVista Associates.

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“Growth & Financing Strategies for A&D Companies in 2019 and Beyond”

San Diego Chapter meeting on February 5

The 2019 DOD budget is funded; dry powder is abundant with upwards of $B in capital availability; transaction multiples are at or near all-time highs….What planet is this ?….”Let’s get ready to rumble in 2019″….What’s your plan to take advantage of all these dynamic market forces?

Join us in Del Mar on Tuesday, February 5th as our panel takes on growth strategies and financing alternatives to capitalize on these dynamics. Hear firsthand from Mark Larsen of Cask LLC (a SD based business and technology management services firm) how they have addressed these challenges heading into 2019. Mark will be joined by Ken Hubbard, a partner from Riordan, Lewis and Haden, a private equity firm; Christopher Pannacciulli from Bank of America/ML, a commercial lender, and an Investment Banking firm (speaker TBD).

Mark and the panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges in the current economic environment to include: recent transactions, A&D growth trends, deal multiples and financing terms. Take advantage of the collective wisdom from this great panel to help you shape your strategy for 2019.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until January 29). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdfeb19.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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“Cost & Price Analysis in Source Selection – The Total Evaluated Price”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on February 19

Meeting Location: City National Bank
15260 Ventura Blvd., 16th floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Meeting Date: February 19
Meeting Time: Doors open at 7am, Meeting 7:30-9:00am

Being successful in business is challenging in and of itself. Being successful in the defense industry, where the Government is the ultimate customer, comes with additional and unique challenges.

Cost-type contracts are particularly complex instruments, substantially shaped by federal regulation, and administered by a team of professionals under the cognizant contracting officer. Done right, they’re fair and useful for both sides. But done wrong, they can be catastrophic to the contractor. This presentation is designed to help contractors better understand what they need to know about pursuing such contracts.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, February 19, 7:30am–9:00am, when Scott Koslow, Vice President, Valkyrie Enterprises, will discuss the Government’s approach to its pricing objective and how a contractor can position itself to win a contract worth winning. He’ll address the concept of the “Total Evaluated Price,” the nature of best value procurement versus lowest-price-technically-acceptable and cost/price evaluation considerations to account for. He’ll also discuss management’s strategic considerations when the Government selects someone else for award.

The meeting is free for members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until February 12).  Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvfeb19.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, City National Bank and InVista Associates.

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“Next-generation Model-based Systems Engineering”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on January 24

Meeting location: Spencer Fane LLP
2415 E Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85016-4288
Meeting Date: Thursday, January 24, 2019
Meeting Time:
Networking: 5:00pm-5:30pm
Meeting: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Efficient and cost-effective deployment of software intensive cyber physical systems (CPS) in military aircraft remains one of most complex and challenging issues facing Government Program Managers. Current tools and methodologies are not adequate for the development and certification of CPS as they create affordability and schedule dilemmas for current and future programs. This is due to poor requirement definition and the inability to identify and document hazards created by complex hardware/software interactions.

New technologies, particularly advances in model-based engineering and tooling show great promise for correcting these challenges and improving the safety and airworthiness approvals for CPS. Unfortunately, Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) processes and tools are challenging the bounds of current Government business and acquisition practices creating a dilemma for the development and fielding of future Military Aircraft.

Please join us in Phoenix on Thursday, January 24, 5:30–7:00pm (networking at 5:00pm), when Stephen M. Simi, Vice President, Program Manager of Military Aviation Programs, Tucson Embedded Systems, Inc., will present a vision with options for embracing MBSE practices; suggesting how the Government could use MB tooling and process improvements to optimize cost, schedule and improve the safety of Warfighting capabilities embedded within DoD military aircraft. His presentation will suggest how to reuse these capabilities during their flight certification efforts across the Aviation fleet resulting in advanced integration schedules and improved interoperability between systems.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum and AZTC members ($30 for non-members). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazjan19.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 National Bank of Arizona and InVista Associates.

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“The Resilient Supply Chain: Navigating Disruption and Achieving Peak Performance”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on January 18

NOTE: New 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.

Amazon has turned the business landscape on its head.  Netflix has transformed the entertainment industry. Uber has revolutionized the transportation industry. Aerospace firms are feeling the squeeze. Are you ready for what’s next?

According to LMA Consulting Group’s research study, The Amazon Effect: How Higher Customer Service Standards Impact Your Business and What You Can Do to Thrive, customers are no longer satisfied with quality products delivered on-time; instead, they want rapid delivery, “go the extra mile” partnership type service and collaborative R&D/ design.  Creating a resilient end-to-end supply chain is no longer a differentiator; it has become a “must” for navigating disruption and achieving peak performance.

Join us in Century City on Friday, January 18, 7:30–9:00am, when Lisa Anderson, Founder and President, LMA Consulting Group, Inc. will lead an interactive discussion on strategies and methods for creating a resilient supply chain.  In addition, instead of reacting to disruption, we’ll explore ideas to turn that on its head –why not become the disruptor?

The meeting is free for members & $30 for non-members ($40 after January 11). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflajan19.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, InVista Associates, and the 62 Mile Club.