Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Underwriter
Welcome Remarks
Welcome to the State of Defense Business
Daniela Fayer
Group Publisher, DefenseGovExec
Editorial
Building the Future Fleet: The State of Shipbuilding
The Navy is pushing to meet its goal of more than 350 manned ships and nearly 200 large unmanned vessels in the next 30 years. This session will examine the challenges of meeting that goal, and the future of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Congressman Rob Wittman
VA-01House of Representatives
Brad Peniston
Executive EditorDefense One
Editorial
Revolutionizing Acquisition: The Air Force's Approach
The Air Force has encountered some significant obstacles over the years as it’s developed fighter jets, tankers, and more. But new efforts like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program are changing the way the department approaches acquisition. This session will offer a look at how the Air Force is overcoming previous obstacles, and a peek into what lies ahead.
Andrew Hunter
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and LogisticsU.S. Air Force
Audrey Decker
Air Warfare ReporterDefense One
Editorial
Evolution of Drone Acquisition: Insights from Modern Conflicts
The war in Ukraine has underscored the need for drones in modern conflict, but also shown how quickly the technology must adapt to stay ahead of the adversary. This session will focus on the state of drone acquisition.
David Michelson
Director, Autonomy PortfolioDefense Innovation Unit
Patrick Tucker
Science & Technology EditorDefense One
Underwriter
Underwritten
Industry Session
Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata, U.S. Army (Ret.)
SVP and Corporate Strategic AdvisorCACI International, Inc.
Bold Moves in Electromagnetic Warfare
The Department of Defense (DoD) faces rising threats in the electromagnetic spectrum, from disrupting adversary communications to securing its networks against advanced cyber attacks. As electronic warfare (EW) becomes essential for battlefield dominance, the DoD is accelerating the integration of electronic and cyber operations across all branches. Defense One will discuss the current state of EW with DoD leaders, highlighting recent advancements and their impact on future joint operations. This conversation will cover the DoD's evolving acquisition strategies for rapid deployment of next-gen EW capabilities and the importance of industry collaboration and public-private partnerships in maintaining the U.S. military’s technological edge.
Travis Manning
Deputy Director, Electronic WarfareOffice of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Platform and Weapon Portfolio Management, U.S. Army
Lea Kirkwood
PEO, Electronic SystemsHanscom Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force
Lauren Williams
Senior EditorDefense One
Editorial
Cutting-Edge Acquisition: Blueprint for Modernizing Defense Technology
As the military embarks on critical modernization efforts, a streamlined and agile acquisition process is essential. This discussion will offer insights into how the DOD is tackling the challenges of acquiring cutting-edge software while navigating the complexities of procurement.
Aditi Kumar
Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, and National Security PartnershipsDefense Innovation Unit
Patrick Tucker
Science & Technology EditorDefense One
Editorial
Modernizing the Battlefield: Path to Effective Software Acquisition
The right software can dictate a battle’s outcome. How is the DOD overcoming its cumbersome acquisition process to develop and buy the best and most current software solutions?
Caroline Bean
Director, Joint Enterprise Services DirectorateDISA
Lauren Williams
Senior EditorDefense One
Closing Remarks
Thank you for joining State of Defense Business
Daniela Fayer
Group Publisher, DefenseGovExec