Industrial Symposium

Session Summaries

March 18, 2026

Drone Dominance Sustainment: Building North Carolina’s Industrial Base for Next-Generation Unmanned Systems. Drone Dominance is a national priority to surge U.S. production of low cost, attritable small UAS and the secure components that make them viable at scale. Using phased Gauntlet style evaluations and rapid contracting, the effort is designed to move proven systems into units quickly and support sustained readiness. This DISC workshop advances a whole of state collaboration model connecting warfighters, government partners, academia, and industry to strengthen North Carolina’s role in drone manufacturing, sustainment, and validation. Informed by current operational lessons where drones drive sensing, target acquisition, and effects in contested spectrum conditions while operating under constant counter UAS pressure, the session focuses on what must be tested, produced, repaired, and replenished to keep formations ready. Discussion will also address autonomous systems in support of contested logistics and sustainment.

Participants will review how North Carolina’s industrial base and test ecosystem can support scalable production of airframes, electronics, propulsion, batteries, and mission systems, along with the sustainment pathways that keep systems operational. The workshop will also address the expanding national emphasis on UAS test capacity and safety data needed to accelerate integration and validation.

March 19, 2026

Sustaining Ground Vehicles: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue. The sustainability of U.S. military ground vehicle programs relies on several key factors including funding, technological advancements, and strategic planning. This breakout session explores business opportunities and procurement challenges in sustaining military ground vehicles. Representatives from key defense agencies and industry partners will discuss current and future sustainment needs, highlighting areas for innovation, parts obsolescence solutions, and lifecycle support strategies. Attendees will gain insights into how small and large businesses can align with Department of Defense priorities, navigate procurement pathways, and respond to evolving requirements. The session will also address common contracting obstacles, data rights, and technical documentation hurdles that impact readiness. This is a valuable forum for suppliers, OEMs, and logistics providers seeking to support ground combat capabilities. 

Innovations to Boost and Strengthen the Defense Industrial Base. This session will explore DARPA’s latest initiatives and breakthrough technologies designed to strengthen and expand the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. DARPA experts will share insights into how the agency accelerates innovation to address critical national security challenges—from advanced manufacturing and supply chain resilience to emerging capabilities in artificial intelligence, autonomy, microelectronics, and energetics.

Joining the discussion, the National Defense & Intelligence Innovation Institute (NDI³) at UNC Charlotte will present an overview of their programs, highlighting how the institute advances defense-focused research, fosters innovation ecosystems, and builds talent pipelines that meet evolving national security needs. NDI³ will share how its initiatives help connect academic research, industry partners, and government sponsors to accelerate real-world defense applications.

Together, DARPA and NDI³ will showcase how collaborative innovation models—and increased engagement with small and non‑traditional businesses—are reshaping the future of defense readiness, industrial capacity, and the broader national security innovation landscape.

Sustaining Maritime Systems: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue.  As global maritime dynamics shift, the U.S. Department of Defense faces increasing pressure to modernize its naval capabilities in the face of rising strategic competition – particularly China, whose maritime defense expansion is outpacing the U.S. both in scale and speed. This panel will explore how the U.S. can maintain maritime superiority through robust sustainment strategies, agile procurement, and innovative industry partnership. 

Join government, industry, and the acquisition community as they discuss the critical role of sustainment in ensuring fleet readiness, extending platform lifecycles, and supporting operational agility. This session will also highlight business opportunities across the sustainment enterprise and provide guidance on navigating DoD procurement pathways. 

Attendees will gain actionable insights into how their organizations can contribute to strengthening U.S. maritime dominance through lifecycle support, digital transformation, and resilient supply chain 

Empowering the Future: Enhancing the DoD Industrial Workforce.  As global supply chains become more complex and contested, the Department of Defense must strengthen its logistics and supply chain workforce. This panel brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to share innovative workforce development strategies. Panelists will address challenges in talent acquisition and retention, the effects of onshoring, and the value of cross-sector collaboration. Attendees will learn about impactful training programs, credentialing efforts, and tools shaping the future supply chain workforce. 

Whether you’re an educator, logistics expert, or industry partner, this session offers practical ideas and collaboration opportunities to help maintain the DoD’s workforce as a strategic edge. 

Sustaining Aerospace Systems: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue. Leaders from DLA Aviation, AFSC, NAVAIR, AMCOM, and the U.S. Coast Guard will share sustainment priorities and evolving acquisition strategies in military aviation. Panelists will discuss aerospace system needs, supply chain challenges, and how industry can support readiness through MRO and parts procurement. 

Attendees will gain insight into procurement processes, sourcing priorities, and initiatives addressing obsolescence, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience. This session offers a valuable chance for businesses to connect with decision-makers and learn how to compete as agile, trusted partners in aerospace sustainment. 

Technology and Innovation Showcase. Four select businesses will present their cutting-edge technologies to participating government representatives. Select businesses will have 10 minutes for presentation, followed by 5 minutes for feedback and Q&A from the government panel. The briefs aim to bridge the gap between innovative solutions and federal technology needs.  This session is a crucial opportunity for innovators to connect with federal technology needs and gain visibility among prime manufacturers and stakeholders in the defense sector. Click here for more information.

Building Your Business: Selling to the National Guard & Reserve — Domestic and Global Opportunities with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The National Guard and Reserve play a dual domestic and federal mission, supporting combat readiness while delivering crucial local services—such as disaster relief, mobile medical units, recruiting programs, training, and built environments—distinct from standard DLA-supported initiatives. This creates unique, accessible procurement channels for small businesses across sectors like mobile services, equipment manufacturing, civil infrastructure, and even promotional items. Guard units contract food services, construction, training support, administrative support, and more through IDIQ agreements or small-business RFQs, while the National Guard Office of Small Business Programs (NGB OSBP) actively seeks diverse, innovative partners. In FY ’25 alone, nearly $333 million in small-business contracts were awarded, with opportunities for  set aside such as women-, veteran-, HUBZone-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses.

The U.S. Department of Commerce adds a crucial opportunity for ambitious firms, helping businesses scale globally. Commerce will provide guidance on export support and ITAR best practices, ensuring that parts, systems, or services can be delivered safely to allied partners. Businesses will gain strategic insight and governance frameworks that mitigate risk across international contracts, customs, and compliance, allowing businesses to export goods and services with confidence. By leveraging Commerce resources and programs, companies can build long-term, resilient partnerships that can strengthen their brand in defense and commercial markets.ute to the readiness and resilience of America’s most adaptable forces.