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Monthly
Events:
As
we get definitions of the meeting topics and biographies of the
presenters, they will be posted here.
September
16,
2010 - Thursday, luncheon
starts at 11:00AM.
Topic:
"Improvised
Everything"
While today’s U.S. military possesses unmatched skills,
capabilities and weaponry, our adversaries have learned how to
develop sophisticated threats, in part by leveraging seemingly
innocuous objects – garage door openers, keyless entry remotes,
and cell phones – for lethal ends.
The electronics revolution has led to the widespread
accessibility of inexpensive, high performance “off the shelf”
commercial technology. This
enables the creation of at least rudimentary capabilities in a
variety of military and intelligence arenas – what we call
“improvised everything.”
Our military now operates in this new environment.
Terrorists and insurgents have flown kites to direct
artillery fire, sawn up lamp posts to make rocket bodies, and used
donkeys as rocket launchers. The
threats are often greatest, however, when this cobbling together
of local resources is combined with inexpensive commercial
electronics, such as using digital watches to fire those rockets
remotely, or using cell phones as detonation devices.
The improvised explosive device (IED) is the best known
example of this leveraging of commercial technology.
IEDs represent just the tip of the iceberg of new
improvised capabilities, however.
The U.S. cannot passively ride out the “anomalous” IED
threat, because IEDs are the first wave in a tsunami of sea
change, with widely available technology enabling relatively
inexpensive, lethal threats or new capabilities.
Our adversaries are not hampered by acquisition
regulations or traditional development cycles.
The continual leaps in commercial innovation enable rapid
evolution of threats, challenging our responsiveness. The
truth is, the U.S. and its allies could draw a lesson from these
enemies by embracing improvisation. In this talk we will provide a
preliminary blueprint on a way forward to address and even out
improvise our enemies.
Presenter:
Dr. Allen
Steinhardt
Dr.
Steinhardt is a Business and Functional Leader in the Science
& Technology (S&T) Consulting Team at Booz Allen. He is
senior Technical lead for a team of about 400 Scientists and
Engineers, and manages a quick response team to do technical
assessment for portfolio analysis, technology trades, and merger
and acquisition due diligence.
His recent focus is on growing business and Firm
capabilities in fusion centers, and support to the Office of the
Secretary of Defense.
Prior
to joining Booz Allen Hamilton Dr. Steinhardt worked as the
Director of Sensor Systems for Alpha-Tech Inc.
Prior
to Alpha-Tec Dr. Steinhardt was the Senior Scientist for the
Information Exploitation Office (IXO), responsible for new program
development in the sensor area throughout the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Prior to DARPA, Dr. Steinhardt was an Assistant
Professor of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University.
He has written about 200 papers in research journal
articles, as well as in popular venues such as Defense News, C4ISR
journal, Strategy and Business, and Financial Times. He also is
coauthor of a popular text “Adaptive Radar Detection and
Estimation”, Wiley.
October
21,
2010 - Thursday, luncheon
starts at 11:00AM.
Topic:
"Cybersecurity
– Just another Y2K?"
Presenter:
Mr. J.O.McFall, President, National Security Division
November
18,
2010 - Thursday, luncheon
starts at 11:00AM.
Topic:
"Systems
Engineering at DoD: Focus on Policy, Standards and Guidance"
Mr. Gantzer’s presentation will cover a number of areas. These
include the current Systems Engineering organization, roles and
responsibilities; implications of recent DOD acquisition policy,
e.g., the War Fighter Systems Acquisitions Act; and the status of
activities, with emphasis on SE standards and guidance regarding
Mission Assurance
Presenter:
Donald G . Gantzer, Systems Engineering Directorate, Office of the
Director, Defense R&E.
Don is a senior SAIC Systems Engineer in the SE
Support Office supporting OSD/DDR&E/SE, SE Policy &
Guidance. He is assisting in identifying, developing, and
coordinating application of SE standards, specs, guides, and
policy. He is the Lead Standards authority for the SE Standards
and Specs functional area of DOD's ASSIST. He also has been a core
reviewer of acquisition programs required SE Plans [SEPs] and has
participated in several Program Support Reviews [PSRs]. Mr.
Gantzer has 40 years of experience in Systems Engineering and
project management experience with several firms (Grumman, TRW,
Lockheed, CNA, and Mitre), as well as in the US Government
(Transportation, Energy). Mr. Gantzer has been an instructor at
Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, and George
Mason University. He has a M.S. in Operations Research, a B.S. in
Industrial (Systems) Engineering from Ohio State University, and a
MA in Policy Analysis from Virginia Tech.
.
Contact Jim Chism
at james@jameschism.com or
call at (410_724-5949).
for
reservations.
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