News
Press Release
For Immediate Release
14 September 2006
Contact Chip Laingen
St. Paul, September 13, 2006 – 120 people representing more than 100 defense and homeland security businesses and organizations today attended the Defense Alliance of Minnesota’s quarterly Defense Industry Roundtable at the Eagan Community Center. The event’s theme, “Urgent Technology Needs on the Battlefield,” was intended to showcase current hi-profile needs for the nation’s armed forces, and the evolving processes being used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to acquire technology in answering those needs.
The keynote speakers included: Dr. Alok Das, Director of the Air Force Research Lab’s (AFRL) Core Process 3 program (urgent needs), from Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Mr. William Brower, Deputy Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, from Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Mr. Merritt Marquardt of Minnesota Technology.
Common themes that were apparent regarding urgent technology for defense applications included a desire on the part of all the armed services to acquire solutions faster and cheaper, and to build systems and components that are lighter, require less power and are more sustainable on the battlefield. The representative from the U.S. Army’s PEO Soldier stressed that Soldiers are being increasingly “networked” into a collaborative electronic grid, resulting in more body-borne computer systems, components, and power requirements – all of which represents more weight and complexity for the dismounted Soldier.
The AFRL’s Dr. Das’ participation at the Roundtable was sparked in large part by the Defense Alliance’s recent activity in helping to connect technology providers to the Air Force’s urgent call to address the helicopter brownout problem – a $100 million cost to DoD due to damaged and lost helicopters and casualties. “Brownout” occurs when a helicopter disturbs the dust of a landing zone, often leading to lost visual cues and aircraft drift causing rollovers.
The Roundtable was sponsored by Honeywell, Head Lites Corporation, Adventium Labs, Lindquist & Vennum law firm and Minnesota Wire & Cable Co. Exhibitors were also present, showcasing Minnesota high technology, including: Recon Robotics, Primordial, Head Lites, Premix Thermoplastics, Hearing Components, DHY and Minnesota Wire & Cable Co.
The day event was followed by a smaller gathering of local CEOs and University of Minnesota officials who attended a dinner to discuss Minnesota’s role in the defense industry with the Roundtable’s out of town guests. The dinner was hosted by the Lindquist & Vennum law firm.
Wednesday’s Defense Industry Roundtable was the latest in a series of quarterly events organized by the Defense Alliance of Minnesota, the state’s network for the defense and homeland security industry. Future activities include a Twin Cities national conference on homeland security co-hosted with the National Defense Industrial Association (Spring 2007).
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The Defense Alliance is an independent organization whose mission is to network and expand Minnesota’s defense and homeland security industries, to create and retain high quality jobs, and to further promote the state’s important contributions to our men and women of the armed forces. Information on ongoing issues and future events can be found at the Alliance website, www.defensealliance.com.