Mission Essential’s Post

Dear Defense Acquisition Professionals: Watch this video. It is, perhaps, one of the most important videos to watch for the defense contracting community. Gen Holt (ret) gets real on America's past, current, and future state - even in ways that may make some uncomfortable. His proposed solutions to our current challenges with China will also bring discomfort to make many in the government procurement community. All the more reason to watch. Or just put your headphones on and listen. It is thought provoking and challenging. And 100% true. China is thousands of years old. America is new and young and perceived by many as a temporary fad. We need to understand these perspectives if we want to preserve our democracy. To quote Cameron Holt from the video: "We [defense employees] need to stop thinking about our job progression and start thinking about the future of our children" Our new chapter in US History (and world history) is AI. And a successful ending for the American people and citizens of the free world is not guaranteed. And so much of the success of our nation rests on the Government Acquisition Professional. I have the honor of being on a panel this week with Cameron Holt, Will Roper, Charlie E. Williams Jr., Zachary Mears and Brandon Daniels as we speak on new approaches to work effectively with modern industry for the defense of our nation. Government Contract Pricing Summit 2024 in San Diego. Tune in and join - the solution, I believe happens at the lowest levels in the process. ASI Government ASI Education Timothy W. Cooke, Ph.D. Anne Laurent Casey D. Blake, Maj Gen (Ret), USAF Jack Shanahan Ryan Connell Bonnie Evangelista Shyam Sankar Pete Modigliani Peter Guinto Matt MacGregor BENJAMIN MCMARTIN Dolores Kuchina-Musina, Ph.D. Jim Woolsey Azza Jayaprakash Jerry McGinn, Ph.D. Tyler Sweatt James Pitcher Jacqueline Tame Gregory C. Allen Michael Kanaan Michael Groen Nand Mulchandani Colin Carroll

📣 New Blog Post -> Over the Horizon: A Journey Through NIWC-PAC's Strategic Innovation 🚀 I recently had the opportunity to visit NIWC Pacific headquarters and see firsthand how they "walk the walk" in tech innovation! 🏛️ The people I met and the experiences I had last week epitomized NIWC-PAC's focus areas of Culture, Think Big, Go Fast, Think Warfighter, and Go Tough. Here are some highlights: ✨ Witnessing the cutting-edge tech NIWC-PAC is pioneering 👨🚀 Seeing how these innovations empower warfighters on the frontlines ⚡️ Understanding how agility and collaboration shape the development of future technologies 💡 Experiencing firsthand how visionary thinking is crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving landscape Check out my latest blog post covering these focus areas and San Diego tourism, Over the Horizon: A Journey Through NIWC-PAC's Strategic Innovation at https://lnkd.in/eU5ahmny. What aspects of defense tech are you most excited about? Let's discuss! #TechInnovation #DefenseTech #MilitaryTechnology #FutureOfWarfare

Brightstar Capital Partners-backed Astrion, a mission support and advanced engineering services provider, agreed to acquire Axient, a specialized engineering solutions provider. Financial terms were not disclosed. "At Astrion, our mission extends beyond today. We are committed to the extraordinary and making our nation more resilient for future generations. Axient's specialized capabilities, talented employees and robust customer base make it a highly complementary fit with Astrion. Together, we will deliver elevated solutions for military and civilian agencies, delivering Results with Impact to critical global challenges," Dave Zolet, Astrion CEO. Axient (led by Randy Cash) is advised by KippsDeSanto & Co., Stone Key Group, Morrison Foerster and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (led by Edward Ackerman). Astrion (led by David Zolet) is advised by J.P. Morgan, Jefferies and Kirkland & Ellis. #MergersAcquisitionsDivestitures #Aerospace #PrivateEquity

On March 10, DIU Director Doug Beck joins ODNI Director of Science & Technology John Beieler to discuss the transformative role of technology in defense and intelligence and explore the evolving landscape in the age of rapid technological advancement. Learn more about DIU's upcoming Capital Factory and #SXSW24 events here: https://lnkd.in/eJGf9u3C #defenseinnovation #defensetechnology

Of America's public defense companies only Palantir Technologies (#6) was founded in the 21st century. Much of the list goes back to the late 1800s/early 1900s. We are now bigger than BAE Systems and L3Harris Technologies. We are 80% of Northrop Grumman's marketcap. And we are just getting started. Next: We are going to create more value for the warfighter by growing the Primes' marketcap (software defined industrialization, driving margin and multiple expansion through their FFP contracts), and helping new defense tech entrants succeed at scale through the First Breakfast. (https://lnkd.in/gWhKvwTJ).

It was an honor and a pleasure for the #DEF team to be granted the airtime with the Defense Innovation Board for their official meeting this week. Platforms for collaboration and cross pollination of ideas and disciplines are imperative, but many of us in the DEF community are most motivated by the action that might follow the conversation. We generally alluded to a project we are working on in a recent pos that is very none tech and human focussed in nature. While not glamorous or all that innovative or wizbang in nature, there are a multitude of instances pointing to the efficacy and importance of cultural exchanges and cross cultural network building from deterrence, readiness and teaming perspectives. #Fellowships are a vehicle to encourage this. If we want to remain relevant we must remain humble, empathetic and aggressively focussed on learning. This requires we go beyond our borders and focus heavily on garnering an appreciation for cultural and operational nuances inherent to other areas of operation before we might find ourselves otherwise heavily engaged in regional conflicts, either directly or through, advisory, assist and accompany efforts. #proactive is always more advantageous than #reactive and we feel its time to challenge the paradigm and precedent set that focuses predominately on bringing foreign partners to our shores to learn. We have just as much, if not more to learn from them and their is no better classroom than on the ground through full immersion. Admiral Mike Mullen's, at the 12 minute mark in the video below raises tremendous points and highlights the inherent obstacles of challenging this engrained educational doctrinal norm. Nothing worth pursuing every comes easy, but exposing our Junior Officers and #DoD enlisted to the criticality of true cross cultural rapport building and to the realties of how informal capacity and networks are at play in current and likely AOs is an #imperative for both domestic and International realities. We put out an ask around two weeks ago for the best community builders and this week we shared our idea loosely with the #DIB This is #Momentum Thanks to the members of the community who participated in the call: Evanna Hu, Meagan Metzger, Ian Eishen and Michael Madrid and of course to those on the DIB who partook in the conversation: Dr. Marina Theodotou Sue Gordon, Will Roper, Mike Bloomberg, Charles Phillips and the rest of the DIB community. - Jesse Levin #community #accountability #movewithurgency #DEF

Software integration as the future of systems integration requires that headcount remain consistent while value to the end user increases exponetially. It is a prerequisite to successfully growing a ecosystem of modern companies solving DoD problems.

Small innovative companies and university research centers are playing an even greater role in helping the United States Department of Defense overcome technology challenges. And SMI is proud to be playing a leading role in helping shepherd those partnerships. That's why we are thrilled to announce that Robert Smith, a United States Marine Corps veteran who recently retired as director for Department of Navy SBIR/STTR Programs, is our newest senior advisor. "Robert's understanding of how small businesses can solve some of the military's toughest technological problems and pave the way for new battlefield capabilities is unparalleled," said CEO Bill McCann. "He is particularly passionate about the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs that the federal government has relied on for decades to help bridge the 'valley of death' between concept and capability." "We are looking forward to leveraging his expertise to help clients to preserve what works and make improvements," McCann added. Smith has played a crucial role in the success of the SBIR/STTR program. "The strength of the program derives from many sources, but its foundation was set in 1982 when the program ensured alignment with Navy acquisition needs," he wrote in the Winter 2024 issue of the Navy's Transitions newsletter. "...Focusing on solving the challenges of our naval warfighter, and doing our best never to fail them, manifests itself in the constant delivery of new capability. For the last two years, the program has exceeded $1 billion in Phase III awards, a 200% return on our investment of SBIR/STTR funding." He added: "As the Department continues to look for ways to improve our acquisition process, I will continue to speak forcefully: Scale the Navy model, and by making fact-based adjustments to a program that delivers year in and year out." Smith, who served for served for 22 years as a helicopter pilot, was previously director of disruptive technologies in the Office of Naval Research, where he was responsible for identifying game-changing technologies. He was also program manager for the US Navy's Rapid Innovation Fund, which helps small businesses more quickly insert technology solutions into acquisition programs. Smith holds a BA in accounting from Whittier College and an MS in Systems Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. #SBIR #STTR #smallbusiness #innovation #technology #research

Care about interoperability in the defense market? Curious about DAPRA? Want to learn about an extraordinary coalition building effort? Check out this conversation with David Gerson of Apogee Research, LLC - now live!

We wrapped up last week on Capitol Hill, where Ultra I&C senior leadership briefed committees of jurisdiction about our high-capacity, C2-enabling ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and island-to-island capabilities, highlighting our seamless beyond-line-of-sight communications products—including Orion Gen 6, Troposcatter and other SATCOM solutions. We discussed our investments in innovative tactical communication solutions that provide unmatched interoperable capabilities and features to connect the multi-domain Joint Force across the battlefield. Awareness of these key technologies is essential as policymakers consider FY25 budget priorities and the NDAA.   #CapitolHill #leadership #innovation #tacticalcommunications #defensetechnology #militarytechnology #defenseindustry #intelligence #communications