The Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., brought together top defense experts in September to discuss some of the biggest topics and challenges facing the Air Force and Space Force in a series of 10 “Mission Capability Area” panels. Those sessions are now available for everyone to view.
Chief Scientist of the Space Force Joel B. Mozer moderated a discussion on Digital Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. Joining him were:
- Wallis Laughrey, vice president of strategy and chief transformation officer at Raytheon Intelligence & Space;
- Eric Hein, vice president for defense advanced development and space programs at Spirit AeroSystems; and
- Renee Pasman, director of integrated systems at Lockheed Martin.
Chair of the Moorman Center for Space Studies Chris Williams moderated a panel on space and overhead platforms with:
- Eric J. Brown, senior director for military space mission strategy at Lockheed Martin;
- Bill Gattle, president of space systems at L3Harris Technologies; and
- Paul Tilghman, senior director of Azure Spectrum Technologies at Microsoft.
Brig. Gen. Tad D. Clark, director of electromagnetic spectrum superiority, helmed a panel on electromagnetic warfare, joined by:
- Jerry M. Wohletz, vice president and general manager of electronic combat solutions at BAE Systems;
- Steven Kiepe from the Leidos Innovation Center; and
- Anthony Nigara, vice president of strategy and business development for space and airborne systems at L3Harris Technologies.
Yvette S. Weber, associate deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for science, technology, and engineering, oversaw a panel on autonomous systems with:
- Matthew Boyer, systems engineer senior staff at Elbit Systems of America;
- Jarod Patton, autonomous systems solution architect at Leidos; and
- Diem Salmon, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for New American Security.
Brig. Gen. Jeffery D. Valenzia, the Air Force’s cross-functional team lead for the Advance Battle Management System, moderated a panel on ABMS and JADC2. He was joined by:
- Richard S. Stapp, corporate vice president and chief technology officer at Northrop Grumman;
- Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Phantom Works at Boeing; and
- Ross Niebergall, vice president and chief technology officer of L3Harris Technologies.
Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Simpson, assistant deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,
moderated a panel on command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance—commonly called C4ISR—and was joined by:
- Matthew Apostolou, director of advanced ISR requirements and integration with Collins Aerospace Systems’ ISR and space solutions division;
- James “J.R.” Gear, vice president in charge of Washington Operations with L3Harris Technologies; and
- Mike Shortsleeve, director of strategic development at General Atomics Aeronautical.
Department of the Air Force Chief Data Officer Eileen M. Vidrine oversaw a discussion of data management, focusing on software engineering, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and analytics, and was joined by:
- Akash Jain, chief technology officer of Palantir Technologies;
- Thomas Treakle, Dell Technologies services account executive; and
- Robert Audet, director in the advanced solutions segment for Guidehouse.
Col. Patricia A. Csànk, associate director of resource integration under the deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, moderated a panel on logistics, sustainment, and mission support. She was joined by:
- Retired Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon, senior adviser for Systecon;
- Retired Maj. Gen. Stephen T. “Steve” Sargeant, CEO of Marvin Test Solutions; and
- Anthony Pedroni, vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources.
Brig. Gen. Robert K. Lyman, assistant deputy chief of staff for cyber effects operations, led a panel discussion on 5G, cyber operations, and cybersecurity. He was joined by:
- Retired Col. Lance Spencer, client executive vice president for AT&T’s Global Public Sector;
- Ed Vasko, director of Boise State University’s Institute of Pervasive Cybersecurity; and
- Stephen Marker, vice president of strategy & business development cyber systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems;
- Daniel G. Rice, vice president of 5G.MIL programs at Lockheed Martin.
Col. Michael J. Power, commander of the 90th Maintenance Group, moderated a panel on weapons and munitions, joined by:
- John “Snooze” Martins, director of international programs for MBDA;
- Mark Altobelli, director of advanced weapons and missile systems at Boeing’s Phantom Works; and
- Retired Maj. Gen. Jon Norman, vice president of customer requirements and capabilities for Raytheon Missiles & Defense.