The U.S. defense industrial base faces growing challenges, from skilled labor shortages and supply chain disruptions to shifting defense priorities and the need to rapidly integrate emerging technology. Maintaining production capacity, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring the availability of critical components are essential to keeping military systems ready for current and future threats.

In this episode of Emerging Tech Horizons, host Dr. Arun Seraphin speaks with Scott Davis, President of the NDIA Michigan Chapter and a former Army program executive officer, about the challenges facing the ground systems industrial base and opportunities to strengthen it. Drawing on his experience in the Army and defense industry, Davis discusses production gaps, the importance of sustaining qualified suppliers, and how traditional defense companies and commercial technology providers can work together to modernize military capabilities through emerging technology and innovation.

Topics include:

• How shifting budgets and production cuts affect defense industrial base readiness
• Maintaining critical manufacturing capacity and qualified defense supply chains
• The role of commercial emerging technology in advancing ground combat systems
• Modular vehicle architectures and faster technology upgrades
• Connecting emerging technology companies with established defense manufacturers
• Developing the next generation of defense and skilled-trades talent
• How NDIA Michigan supports industry connections, education, and workforce development to strengthen the defense industrial base

Learn more about the Emerging Technologies Institute: https://www.ndiaeti.org

Learn more about the NDIA Michigan Chapter: https://ndia-mich.org

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