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Thank you for attending this year’s Defense Conference. We hope you enjoyed the event and are already implementing key takeaways. Below you will find the presentation slides submitted to us. To launch the files simply click on the speakers’ names. Please note that any missing presentations were not made available.
CONFERENCE DATES:
May 13-15, 2025
QUICK LINKS
Day One Opening Remarks
The Air Force is transforming how it approaches capability development through the Integrated Capabilities Command (Provisional). This initiative seeks to unify disparate commands under a cohesive enterprise strategy, with a focus on prioritizing mission over function, accelerating capability delivery, and maximizing lethality per dollar. The ICC(P) aims to provide a clear demand signal to both internal stakeholders and industry, reduce inefficiencies, and better leverage allied industrial bases to ensure readiness and agility in future conflicts. An insightful keynote opening conversation to start the conference program.
In 2024, the industry outpaced national averages in job creation and wages, while playing a pivotal role in global trade, technology leadership, and security efforts. With a world-class workforce, advanced supply chain, and cutting-edge innovations, the sector remains one of the United States’ most vital strategic assets, maintaining leadership in aviation, delivering state-of-the-art equipment to warfighters, and fostering international collaboration with allies and partners.
Get an industry update on the trends for the first half of 2025:
Foreign Military Sales
Tariffs
Executive Orders
Budget Trends
Aquistion Reform
Our world is gripped by a palpable sense of instability as conflicts escalate in Ukraine, Middle East, and tensions simmer in Taiwan and various other regions. These conflicts continue to draw concern from the international community, with ramifications such as food insecurities, delay in military equipment aid, and supply chain disruptions extending far beyond the conflict area borders.
How will the U.S. A&D community (government & industry) integrate allied supply chains and networks into the U.S. national security enterprise in a secure and efficient way. Multiple national defense mission areas are struggling because the U.S. only supply chain cannot provide everything necessary to develop and manufacture U.S. weapons, ISR, and networking capabilities to meet our nation’s warfighting needs.
The fragility of global stability and the need for concerted efforts towards peace and diplomacy will rely on working in close partnership with our Allies. This panel will discuss the challenges being faced, the speed of the decision making process, what actions are being taken and how strengthening our partnerships may serve as a deterrent to bad actors.
Craig Caffrey, Head Defense Markets & Data and Intelligence & Data Services, Aviation Week Network
Douglas Berenson, Partner, Oliver Wyman
The test flight of the modified version of the F-16 operating using artificial intelligence (AI) demonstrates the future generation of aircraft and the speed of change using AI.
Join us for an engaging panel with industry experts discussing unmanned technology and the use of Artificial Intelligence in the aerospace industry and for national defense.
This is a persistent and core topic presented to provide options and solutions to the ongoing workforce challenges facing the aerospace industry for both commercial and defense. Presented each year to provide data trends, case studies with best practices shared inside the room. Discussion on the future trends for a critical segment of the industry and recruiting qualified workers of diverse occupations. Join us for the latest research to future-proof your workforce to remain competitive. This will be an interactive session with shared ideas coming from the audience
This presentation will address the impact of AI on the aerospace industry. Discussion will cover how AI has evolved beyond the realm of hype and is now recognized as a powerful tool for improving business processes across the A&D industry. Gain insight into how Siemens solutions can help transform AI to revolutionize engineering, from enabling faster, data-driven insights to preserving decades of expertise. Learn how companies are leveraging Siemens AI solutions to enhance design processes, accelerate innovation and reshape the future of aerospace.
This session is a timely and indispensable discussion for executives navigating today's rapidly evolving environment of uncertainty. In addition to being confronted with the relentless pace of technology, executives are faced with factors that demand resiliency, foresight, and decisive action in the changing landscape. For executives, any miscalculation can lead to instability and unpredictability leading to wavering public trust, financial uncertainty, and limitations preventing long-term planning. Hear from three executives discussing how they manage in times of such uncertainty.
Day Two Welcome & Speaker Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, the fusion of critical thinking and innovation is essential to safeguarding national security. National security is often associated with reliability, conservatism, and battle-tested technologies. At first glance, this seems at odds with the high-risk, fast-moving world of innovation, which is many times associated with startups, and more. Critical thinking reveals that these concepts are not opposing forces but in fact interconnected pillars of a resilient and forward-thinking defense strategy.
This session explores how forward-thinking strategies, emerging technologies, and analytical problem-solving converge to strengthen defense capabilities. Discover how innovative minds are reshaping the future of security—one breakthrough at a time.
The U.S. defense industrial base faces a critical juncture amid escalating global threats and rapid technological advancements. This session delves into the urgent need for transformation, highlighting challenges such as outdated procurement processes, supply chain vulnerabilities, and talent shortages.
With adversaries like China and Russia accelerating military capabilities, it is imperative for the U.S. to modernize its defense infrastructure has never been clearer.
Is there a trend of awarding contracts leaning more in favor of small private startups versus the established traditional primes in the aerospace industry? Are we trading traditionally known entities for more unproven new startups? What are the benefits of moving to a lesser-known entity? An open debate on the pros and cons for awarding private versus primes.
Join us for an update and in-depth analysis of the A&D raw materials sector, covering critical insights into market trends, supply chains, pricing dynamics, and key industry players. The presentation covers the impact of global economic factors, trade policies, and geopolitical developments on raw material availability and pricing. This industry report aims to equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, anticipate market shifts, and develop strategic initiatives to stay competitive in this market sector.
In this session, we will explore the key findings from Deltek's 2025 Clarity Government Contracting Industry Study, one of the most comprehensive resources for advancing competitive positioning in the government contracting sector, including manufacturing. This annual survey offers critical insights into industry-wide developments, helping contractors determine whether challenges are unique to their organization or part of broader trends. By providing this context, the study enables businesses to align their strategies with industry benchmarks and proactively address emerging challenges.
This discussion will cover trends, challenges, and opportunities across core areas such as business development, project and risk management, and financial compliance, with a specific focus on manufacturing. We will also cover the impact of emerging technologies like AI/ML and evolving Cybersecurity demands on government contractors.
Whether you're a manufacturer or part of the broader government contracting ecosystem, this session will equip you with actionable insights and strategic guidance to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of government contracting and manufacturing effectively.
As the frequency of private and state actors rely on space for military, economic, innovative technological development, the possibility of conflict continues to grow. The militarization of space is no longer hypothetical but an evolving reality. But how can we prevent Space from becoming the next contested domain for surveillance, communication, navigation and defense operations.
Discussion will cover:
Why is conflict likely to expand into space?
Important space weapons
Space domain awareness and communication technologies
Maneuverability (propulsion and refueling) technologies
Discussion topics will cover the following questions:
How does digitally designing with digital twins and open architectures enable on-boarding new technology onto weapon systems to maintain relevance?How does the Department of Defense transform the Developmental Test and Evaluation process to field more rapidly with confidence in performance?What are the best practices seen to date on government references architectures, open mission systems, and system designs that still enable industry to protect intellectual property and remain competitive?
How are changes in the new administration shaping A&D industry and expansion globally. This session explores how A&D companies are strengthening their international presence. Industry leaders share strategies for navigating global markets, forging strategic partnerships, and addressing regulatory challenges. The discussion highlights innovations in technology, supply chain resilience, and geopolitical considerations shaping the future of global expansion.