Troy Billet

With the results in and changes in U.S. leadership happening, Aerospace & Defense sectors are poised for renewed growth. Increased investment in advanced defense capabilities, domestic manufacturing, and supply chain security is expected to open new avenues for machine shops serving these industries. Now is the time to position for long-term contracts and build capabilities to meet heightened demand. #Aerospace #Defense #Manufacturing #Growth

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My first Supply Selfie! Behind me are women and men from the 436 LRS, and represent the best of the best in Supply. I've never met a more committed group of professionals. Their response to checking out the SPARROW Parts Accountability System? Simply: "We need this." The Air Force has lots of logistics systems, but most don't talk to eachother and have lots of gaps where Airmen have to manually record, track, transmit, analyze, and control critical data. These activities are complex, repetitive, subject to error, and time consuming. We can help with all of these and we will do so based on detailed expert input, not out imaginations of what the Air Force needs. Our goal is as close to perfect as possible. With the help of partners like this, we can definitely make it happen! #436LRS #MAINTENANCEOPERATIONS #SUPPLY #CANTFLYWITHOUTSUPPLY

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Mission System Monday! The AFRSO - Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) Advanced Manufacturing Program Office’s (AMPO) Part Assessment and Cost Tool (PACT) officially went live this month, the first Advanced Manufacturing (AdvMfg) application to do so. The PACT is a decision support tool enabling System Program Offices (SPOs) to intelligently assess whether a part in the supply chain is an ideal candidate for the application of AdvMfg solutions, generating a report that grades each candidate regarding supply chain impact, AdvMfg feasibility, and return on investment. This allows SPOs to make the best decision about whether to proceed with a AdvMfg project. The PACT application represents a major milestone in the RSO delivering impactful digital enablement capabilities to enhance operational readiness and lays the foundation for rapidly deploying new capabilities and applications. “It’s the first in a series of applications to be deployed to Cloud One,” said Dan Dismuke, MBA, PSM I, SP, SAFe Leader, RSO AMPO Digital Enabler Program Manager. “It establishes a foundation to rapidly deploy future AdvMfg capabilities to Cloud One.” The AMPO scales organic capability and serves as the Air Force’s focal point for the application of Advanced Manufacturing (AdvMfg) in matters related to acquisition and sustainment, and executes four major functions: technology assessment, airworthiness certification support, product support management, and deployment across the United States Air Force Enterprise. The AMPO manages a diverse portfolio of technologies to include additive manufacturing (3d printing of aircraft equipment and parts), Cold Spray Repair, and Directed Energy Deposition, spanning a spectrum of acquisition lifecycle phases to directly support Air Force Sustainment Center Air Logistics Complexes, all Major Commands, and numerous field units across the globe. Additionally, the AMPO also manages the RSO’s two Advanced Technology and Training Centers in Ohio and Georgia, state-of-the-art facilities for performing material characterization, machine qualification, training development and execution, reverse engineering, and parts development. RSO – Delivering innovation. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gDmkTykM Visit the link below to learn more about the Cloud One offering: https://cloudone.af.mil/ #CloudOne #AFRSO #PACT

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🌟 Meet our incredible members! This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Tom McDaniel from L3Harris Technologies. Tom discusses how DII has helped him and his organization. What is one way that you and your organization use DII? To me the most valuable part of DII is networking with other members offline using Member Connect and in-person during the annual Best Practices Forum (BPF) to share ideas and learn how others are implementing their respective ethics programs. Check out his full spotlight at www.dii.org #DIICommunity #ethicsandcompliance

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This truly bothers me, where has our integrity and ethics gone? Our first obligation in any role we play is to the American Public and it is our duty to refuse to let it slide, or roll out the door if it is not right and built to spec. Most of the incidents involved life critical welds. What in the world are we doing? No job is more important than doing it right! Refuse to pass it on, run it up the chain of command; if they don’t want to listen to you, drag the hell up! Doing so will doing nothing but strengthen your career and build your reputation; plus it keeps you out of the pokey…   This at least the fourth time that I am aware of: First two instances were falsifying NDE being performed; third was a long term metallurgist falsifying MTRs and now craft putting out sub-par welds: sounds to me like they have big time management and communication problems! I seriously doubt any of the individuals involved did this on their own accord, without being encouraged to do so by supervisors trying to roll the ships out the doors. Also delineates individuals who have integrity in doing the right thing and ones who are just worried about drawing a pay check.   Our first accountability is to the American Public, do your job!

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Please join me and Fornax Advanced Materials at BlackHat , #BSides, and #DEFCON this week! Learn how we're reshoring advanced materials manufacturing in support of our national priorities. As always, this is one of the best opportunities to discuss new materials research, applications, and prototyping, while gathering unique requirements for tailored solutions supporting our customer's most challenging missions. #advancedmaterials #researchanddevelopment #manufacturing #makingsciencecoolagain

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ProTip: If you're a U.S. defense contractor looking to hire, don't post a stock-photo of Russian mechanics working on a MiG, along with the tagline "come work with us." Yes, this actually happened. A small defense company made this exact blunder. That’s why rule #3 of 6 for avoiding the Aerospace & Defense Hall of Shame is: “Get Your Technology Right” I get it. If you’re not from this world, tanks can look an awful lot like self-propelled artillery, and it’s almost undoubtedly not a coincidence that China’s J-20 looks an awful lot like the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor (#theft and #espionage). BUT That’s no excuse. Because the customer knows the difference. Even if that blunder didn’t cost business, you can bet it cost credibility. Avoiding shameworthy moments – always a good thing. +-+ This is just one of my six cardinal rules for A&D marketing and communications success. Want the full playbook? I've partnered with Front Door Defense to bring you a free guide, "Zeroed In: Six Things You Must Do To Stay Out Of The A&D Hall of Shame." Grab it – for free – at defensetech (dot) xyz Are there more than 6 rules? You betcha! If you're ready to learn more of them – and to level up your A&D marketing game – then it’s time to join my upcoming course, "Stories that Sell: Strategic Communication for Defense Companies," in collaboration with Noah Sheinbaum and the gang at Front Door Defense. Links to the course and the guide in the comments below. And feel free to hit me up with questions.

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Since Texas Machine-Gun & Ordnance is the country’s largest LMT Defense M203 40mm grenade-launcher distributor, we often get calls from #LawEnforcement & #Police departments about purchasing M203s for #LessLethal use. While an M203 can be pressed into a less-lethal role, it typically is a poor choice for such an application.   The M203 is designed to chamber & fire the 40x46mm cartridge. The grenade-launcher developed from the age-old problem of wanting to “blow thine enemies to tiny bits” when you are not close enough to “lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe”.   As a result, the M203 is an extraordinarily rugged & reliable weapon that you can issue to a knuckle-dragging infantryman who scored “potato” on the ASVAB, to use as a hammer for tent stakes & it will still function as a weapon. The ability to be mounted to an M16/M4 or other #Firearms, simplifies the issuing & employment of the launcher for #Military purposes.   But features which make it a great military weapon, also make it a poor LE weapon.   Firstly we have the “YouTube effect”, where trudging around with a “grenade-launcher” isn’t going to look very good on #SocialMedia. While a 40mm “less-lethal launcher”, such as the ALS launcher in the picture will chamber & fire any 40x46 munitions, it has a very different connotation than an M203. This is especially true if it is mounted to a rifle. Certain applications such as #SWAT where intimidation & ability to have both a lethal & less-lethal option on the same weapon is a desired effect, but that is an exception.   Next is the limited ability to accept certain type of less-lethal cartridges. Most all military 40mm rounds are 40x46mm. But civilian 40mm less-lethal rounds are often longer than 46mm. Due to the M203’s design, it is limited in how long of a 40mm round it can accept. So an M203 is often only able to fire baton & barricade penetrator rounds. For applications such as SWAT, this may not be a problem. But to really harness the capabilities of the 40mm, a break-action launcher has tangible advantages of not being limited by the length of rounds.   Finally we have cost. An M203 without a mounting system runs about 50% more than the ALS launcher which doesn’t need any mounting system & is ready to go out of the box. The LMT’s stand-alone M203 is a really slick system, but costs more than double what the ALS launcher costs.   Like the clerk at Ammu-Nation in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, “ain't my business what you do with it”, when an LE agency wants to spend money on suboptimal less-lethal weapons such as an M203. But there certainly are better options for LE use than the M203.

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I once again am hopeful that the Boeing strike is nearing its end. As someone who works diligently to keep the Northwest Supply chain strong; I have heard so much from the companies that supply Boeing that they are really going through it. Many of the suppliers are small set aside businesses that on a good year, struggle. This strike is causing anxiety in the market and uncertainty through out the Pacific Northwest for many of these businesses.   I have heard from so many members that they are also hoping for near resolution and for both sides to consider the entire ecosystem while negotiating. Many of you probably don’t realize how much of the planes that are mostly considered commercial are also Defense Planes. These planes not only support the US Department of Defense but are known worldwide as reliable tools in Defense and Security. For Example: The KC-46 refueling tanker is the military derivative of the commercial 767. It is one of the most important aircraft for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Allied Nations because it is certified to refuel 22 different aircraft, including the F-15EX and the F-35 fighter jets.   Likewise, the delayed production of the 737 will keep new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from performing a critical military mission. Known as the “Sub Hunter,” the Poseidon shares approximately 85% of its common parts with the 737NG. It is the only plane able to detect and track enemy submarines. Its primary mission is long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW) operations but is also critical for intelligence sharing, surveillance and reconnaissance. Considering the growing naval capabilities of nations like China, U.S. Armed Forces cannot defend our country without vital platforms like the P-8.    The striking workers engage in incredibly important work. They are on the forefront of precision manufacturing that enables thousands of businesses to keep their doors open. They keep the aviation industry flying, and most importantly, they build the military aircraft necessary to keep America’s national defense strong.   Between Boeing, their talented pool of employees, and their dedicated suppliers; they all keep the Aerospace Industry leading the world from the Pacific Northwest. I am hoping that we will soon celebrate the resolution of this turmoil and move into more prosperous times for the entire Defense/Aerospace Ecosystem.   

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Toni Townes-Whitley Why have my ethics concerns with SAIC , trouble ticket 2412-SAIC-4009 and 2411-SAIC-10010 been ignored and dragged out with zero follow up? Why is SAIC using a third party to criminally ignore ethics complaints? Is it possible that SAIC knows everything that was happening at the Government site in Brunswick GA that caused a toxic work environment that led to SAIC employee Jordan Hunkins mental breakdown? It appears that once again SAIC is ignoring laws and public safety in order to continue to collect funds from the federal government at the taxpayers expense while exposing employees to dangerous environments. This is the same reason SAIC was forced by the Government to split into two entities due to criminal activity. Allowing SAIC to continue to operate in the manner that they are is a risk to national security.

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Falls Church-based BAE Systems Inc.’s Norfolk Ship Repair unit has received two U.S. Navy contracts worth a combined $202 million for maintenance, modernization and repair of two vessels. https://lnkd.in/g8fgY8pU

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Today, Nicholaus Saacks, Deputy PEO IEW&S, participated in the 2024 Aerospace Industries Association and the National Defense Industrial Association Technical Data Rights Forum. Along with COL Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, Saacks discussed the importance of considering intellectual property (IP) and data rights from a program management perspective. Topics included Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), data engineering, acquisition strategies and sustainment.  Saacks said: “We are concerned about how a capability plugs into the ecosystem and how the data flows, we don’t need all of the proprietary information about how the capabilities work." #AIA #NDIA #IP #DataRights #PMFLRAA #Aviation #Modernize #AlwaysReady #USArmy #BeAllYouCanBe PEO Aviation

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The case for being open about being a member of the #greenbannergang is all about your network. Here’s a great example! I received the below inMail from someone who came across my posts about being out-of-work, and they reached out. I don’t know this person, but clearly, they know the struggle and want to help. I’m grateful they took a few minutes to say hi. It made my morning! Don’t be too proud to put yourself out there, because for many of us, we are in a time of need. Living in debt. Living in 401K. Use the banner. Doing so will not only give you broader reach and activate your network - it will grow it! #corpcommsleadership #commsjobs #womenempoweringwomen #mondaymusings #linkedin #communicationsjobs

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The Association of the United States Army - AUSA's Annual Meeting and Exposition kicked off today in DC! Join us this week at booth 8041 to learn how we're simplifying the supply chain for today's defense leaders. As a top distribution partner for the military, with more than half of our business serving the defense industry, FDH Aero understands how to get the job done when the mission is critical. #AUSA #AM24 #DefenseIndustry #Aerospace #AUSA2024 Straight Arrow News

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The latest from Emergent Defense Magazine: Rolling Along – Mack Defense, LLC is driving the replacement of Army’s CTT Fleet 👉 https://lnkd.in/gsR3ztJH Calling it “probably the biggest program we have going on right now,” David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, recently updated the status of its Common Tactical Trucks (CTT) prototypes delivered earlier in 2024. CTT prototypes are currently being evaluated as replacements for the Army’s CTT fleet of more than 35,000 vehicles.

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Here at the MOSA Summit talking with the guys at Pacific Defense . Stop by and get an ARES demo.

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