WASHINGTON –
The Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program showcased its groundbreaking initiatives and partnerships at the National Defense Industrial Association’s inaugural Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition August 28-30, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
The three-day conference brought together representatives from government and industry to promote entrepreneurial initiatives for advancing the transition and adoption of new, defense-relevant technologies, helping to secure supply chains that support the warfighter.
Participating in both the breakout sessions and the exhibit hall, ManTech highlighted activities across the enterprise, including completed and ongoing initiatives from the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, Manufacturing Science and Technology Program, Joint Defense Manufacturing Panel, and more.
“The DoD ManTech programs enable the manufacturing ecosystems to develop and field emerging technologies at speed and scale, addressing points of need such as contested logistics environments,” said Tracy Frost, director of the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program. “We continue to foster innovation through our proven investment and partnership model, connecting industry, academia, and government stakeholders to enable advanced manufacturing technologies and processes – and the workforce needed to support them.”
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks kicked off the conference with a keynote that set the tone for discussions on how to rapidly move critical technologies and capabilities into the hands of U.S. warfighters.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks speaks during the 2023 National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference on August 28, 2023.
Hicks used the conference platform to unveil the Replicator initiative, which is pursuing the fielding of thousands of low-cost, attritable, autonomous systems as a strategy to counter China’s advantage in “more ships, more missiles, more forces.” She underscored that when faced with sheer mass, the United States will outmatch its adversaries through superior strategic thinking and maneuvering.
“Our warfighters are counting on you – on us – to deliver at speed and scale, to work together with greater urgency and unity of purpose to not let them down,” said Hicks. “I don’t intend to [let them down] and I know you won’t either.”
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu emphasized the importance of comprehending the evolving threat landscape and leveraging tools and advancements in the industrial base to meet warfighters’ needs.
Heidi Shyu, under secretary of defense for research and engineering, right, speaks with Ellen Lord, chief executive officer of AAI Corp. and the former under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference, Aug. 28, 2023.
“There’s multiple ways to close the gap,” she said. “I'm looking for lower cost, asymmetric ways to close the gap. That’s exactly what I’m focusing on.”
During the industry- and government-led sessions, Frost co-hosted a panel with OSD Basic Research Office Director, Dr. Bindu Nair, on “Accelerating Transition Across Manufacturing Readiness Levels: From Basic Research to ManTech.” Frost outlined the ManTech program, summarized resources and opportunities for industry and government engagement, and answered questions from the audience.
“The joint seminar with Dr. Nair highlights how our programs collectively can deploy critical technologies and transition them from basic research to operational application,” said Frost.
DoD Manufacturing Technology Program Director Tracy Frost speaks to attendees during a breakout session on “Accelerating Transition Across Manufacturing Readiness Levels: From Basic Research to ManTech,” at the Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference, August 29, 2023.
In the exhibit hall, businesses and agencies displayed products and technologies that exemplify collaboration success stories. To illustrate the success of its public-private partnerships and their members’ contributions to advanced manufacturing and national defense, ManTech showed off advances from its nine DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, with – LIFT, the advanced materials institute, and BioMADE, the biomanufacturing institute – participated in the exhibition with their own booths.
Joe Steele, vice president of communication and legislative affairs for the LIFT Manufacturing Innovation Institute, speaks to an attendee of the Emerging Technologies for Defense Exhibition on August 29, 2023. The DoD MIIs seek to revitalize the United States’ domestic manufacturing capability through public-private partnerships that enhance America’s strategic competitiveness while enabling the fielding of new military technologies.
Representatives of the BioMADE Manufacturing Institute speak to an attendee of the Emerging Technologies for Defense Exhibition, August 29, 2023. The DoD MIIs seek to revitalize the United States’ domestic manufacturing capability through public-private partnerships that enhance America’s strategic competitiveness while enabling the fielding of new military technologies.
The mission of the ManTech program is to reduce the acquisition and support costs of defense weapon systems and improve manufacturing and repair timelines throughout the lifecycles of these systems. The enterprise strives to leverage advanced manufacturing to ensure a more potent force, reinforce alliances and public-private partnerships, and accelerate technology adoption for enhanced performance and affordability. For more information about ManTech, visit dodmantech.mil or follow us on
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