Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Aerospace Market Mid-Year Review and Preview”

Los Angeles Chapter webinar on September 22, 2023

The past several years have seen numerous challenges for companies in aerospace and defense. 2023 has been no exception. Among the current challenges are raw material shortages, more production problems at Boeing, finding resources needed to meet demand amid inflation, rising interest rates and labor shortages, and an uncertain economic outlook. What has been the impact of these and other factors on the outlook for 2023 and beyond?

Please join us online on Friday, September 22, 2023, 8:00AM – 9:00AM Pacific Time, when Peter Zimm of Charles Edwards Management Consulting will assess their expectations coming into 2023, examine the industry’s performance and events YTD, and look ahead to what we can expect for the full year. Peter will also share their outlook for the years ahead. In uncertain times, having as much information as possible is crucial to effective decision-making. You’ll leave this presentation with valuable insights for guiding your companies and clients

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://adflasep23.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 Fifth Third Bank, and Lincoln International.

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“Cybersecurity Update for Small and Mid-Size (SME) Defense Contractors”

Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter on August 15, 2023

Many SME Defense Contractors misunderstand complying with the DoD’s CMMC Assessment Program as fulfillment of complying with the NIST Security Requirements which is the standard SME Defense Contractors are used to measure compliance. This misunderstanding leads many SME Defense Contractors to have a false sense of the amount of time required to comply with these standards by focusing on the CMMC rulemaking delays. The reality is most defense contractors are running behind in the compliance schedule without knowing it.
This can result in the following issues for SME Defense Contractors:

  • How will revisions to NIST SP 800-171 affect compliance deadlines for the SME Defense Contractor?
  • Will the DoD provide extra time for SME Defense Contractors to implement these changes?
  • Which revision of NIST SP 800-171 will be used to evaluate SME Defense Contractors’ compliance with CMMC?

Please join us in Valencia on Tuesday, August 15, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:15-7:45am & Meeting: 7:45–9:00am) when Jacob Horne, Chief Security Evangelist, Summit 7 Systems, will provide information on:

  • How to avoid accidentally mistaking CMMC for NIST cyber requirements, which occurs frequently and thus may cost SME Defense Contractors their DoD contracts.
  • The DoD expects SME Defense Contractors of all sizes to be fully compliant with NIST SP 800-171 Revision 2 requirements today.
  • NIST will be expanding SP 800-171 requirements by 37% in Q1 2024 and create more compliance work for SME Defense Contractors.

The location of the meeting is at College of the Canyons. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until August 8 ($45 thereafter). Registration closes at 7:15am on Monday, August 14 to give time to send parking passes. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvaug23.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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“The 2023 Paris Air Show – A Tale of a Changing Industry” – NOF webinar

National Online Forum webinar on Wednesday, August 16, 2023

The 2023 Paris Air Show (or Le Bourget) was the first Paris Air Show in four years. What would we see at the show – with all the changes in our industry, would there be good news or not so good news? As we discovered, Paris 2023 was a tale of recovery, continued challenges, innovation, and sustainability.
• Demand is increasing – as traffic rapidly recovers, every airline is waking up to the need to plan for the rebound, and the orders are not small.
• However, unconstrained demand will face constrained supply for a while.
• Creaking supply chains are impacting deliveries and production ramp-up.
• We are all struggling – maybe we should look at all possible solutions.
• Global conflicts and tensions are driving defense program growth – but the market is fragmented as countries look to meet their own needs.
• The industry is full of innovation – application of AI/supercomputing to design, new engine design, new airframe designs, SAF and hydrogen use as fuel, sustainability.
• What are countries and companies doing to encourage innovation and growth?
• Our industry is changing with sustainability at the forefront – how close to reality are we and by when?

The show itself seemed to be a back to pre-pandemic levels of attendance, reflecting the resurgence and recovery of our industry and, as always, the Paris Air Show manages to be interesting. The activities of the airshow provided some answers on the important issues and gave us a few surprises as well.

Please join us on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 8:00-9:00 am Pacific Time, when David Conrad, Vice President, Business Development, PTI Technologies will give us a first-hand account from someone who attended the 2023 Paris Airshow and find out some of what is new in our industry.

The meeting is free for members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfnofaug23.eventbrite.com.

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

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“The Engine and Systems Headwind to The Next Super Cycle”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on August 3, 2023

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, August 3, (Networking and Breakfast: 7:00-7:30am & Meeting: 7:30–9:00am) as we discuss the outlook across the aerospace and defense engines and systems supply chain.

Alex Krutz of Patriot industrial Partners will lead a panel that will discuss the challenges, uncertainties and opportunities facing the engines and systems supply chain. This is a big challenge in the industry as Airbus and Boeing look to ramp up production. Kristine Liwag (A&D Analyst, Morgan Stanley) will provide an industry perspective on the supply chain. Boyd Adams (VP of BD and Strategic Partnerships, Frisa Aerospace) will discuss the forging and machining segment. Marzel Neckien (President, W Machine Works) will be discussing the tier 2/3 supply chain perspective.

Topics covered will be production plan outlook, demand volatility, the labor situation, inflation, costs and contracts and material lead times. This panel discussion will be beneficial to all companies in the A&D supply chain. Dialogue will be open and informative covering all segments and Tiers of the supply chain.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after July 27). 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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“NASA’s Artemis 1 Mission”

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on Friday, August 11, 2023

NASA’s Artemis I mission from November- December 2022 marked the first time a spacecraft designed to carry a crew has visited the moon since 1972. This historic test mission paved the way for future crewed exploration of Earth’s nearest neighbor, in a more comprehensive and sustainable program than Apollo with growth potential to eventual Mars missions.

Artemis I was enabled by NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the most powerful operational launch vehicle ever built.

Please join us at The Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, CA, on Friday, August 11, 2023, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific Time, when William Whittenbury, Astronautical Engineer, Spacecraft Mechanical Design Integration, Northrop Grumman will give audiences an in-depth look at the design and development of this new rocket, including its design antecedents, a detailed technical description, the manufacturing process, testing, and the ultimate launch campaign and Artemis I mission.

The talk will also look ahead to what’s next in this exciting exploration program, including the Artemis II crew mission and upcoming vehicles for the program including the SLS Block IB, Human Landing System (HLS), and Lunar Gateway space station. The speaker will share his personal experiences supporting the program in 2018.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $30 (until August 4, $40 thereafter) for Non-members. 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 South Bay Chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.

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“Getting the Most from the Gold Coast Conference”

San Diego Chapter meeting on July 18, 2023

Meeting location: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130-4092
Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 18
Meeting Time:
Networking & Refreshments, 4:30-5:30 PM:
Presentation: 5:30-6:30 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.

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 (4:30-5:30 PM: Networking & Refreshments, 5:30-6:30 PM: Presentation) when the event will begin with Networking followed by presentations by Jeff Everage (Founder and President) and
Alexis Romero (Business Intelligence Team Lead and Orals Coach), both from Trident Proposal Management, who will discuss:
• How to prepare for a trade show with proper strategy development and research.
• How to promote your company’s value with proper marketing and messaging techniques.
• How to build genuine partnerships that lead to long-term successful outcomes by identifying the right teaming opportunities and business needs.

The meeting is free for members & $30 for non-members until July 11 ($40 after July 11). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdjul23.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, and hosted by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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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.