10 -- Industry Panel addressing System Engineering Practices for Successful Weapon System Development and Production

The President of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Gulf Coast Chapter, in partnership with the Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Commander, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB FL will hold the 34th Air Armament Symposium at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Ft Walton Beach, FL on 7-8 October 2008. Preparations for the Symposium are currently underway. Among the prominent and eminently qualified speakers and presentations envisioned for the 34th Air Armament Symposium is an Industry Panel addressing System Engineering Practices for Successful Weapon System Development and Production. AAC's System and Subsystem Industry Partners are invited to participate in the Industry Panel. Panel Background: AAC has recently supported an AFMC initiative to improve reliability, manufacturing and safety aspects of weapon system acquisition. Efforts are ongoing on the government?s part for process improvements. Questions and interaction with key USAF personnel indicate that industry ideas on best practices and changes to current engineering and acquisition processes would yield constructive recommendations. Industry Panel Formation: An Industry Panel is being formed to provide recommended improvements to system (and subsystem) engineering and manufacturing processes (and program structure) to significantly improve reliability, performance and producibility of air launched weapon systems. The Industry Panel is envisioned to derive, analyze and document best practices with an interim report 15 May 2008, a final report 3 September 2008, and the full out brief at the 34th Air Armament Symposium on 07 October 2008. Bi-weekly meetings are anticipated for the duration of panel activities. Panel Planning Meeting Invitation: AAC industry partners are invited to attend a planning meeting for this envisioned panel, to be held at the Sheraton Four Points in Fort Walton Beach, FL at 0800-1500 hours on Wednesday, 27 February 2008. All current DOD Industry Partners are invited to attend this important event. Industry Partners interested in joining the panel should submit the POC information and any questions to Mr Frank Robbins, NDIA Advisor- Panel Facilitator, at +1 (555) 000-0000 or email contact@example.gov. Meeting attendace should be sent to Dave Andrews @ +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov. Symposium related questions may be directed to the Eglin AFB Point of Contact, Dr. John Corley at +1 (555) 000-0000, DSN: 875-5905 or email him at contact@example.gov.