Past event: Warfighter Systems Summit 2018

Our Warfighter Systems Summit will convene experts from across the DoD to discuss maximizing warfighter lethality by improving the combat preparedness, survivability, and resiliency of our nation's close combat forces. Speakers from the Army, Marines and Special Forces will discuss the most pressing capability gaps and the initiatives aimed at ensuring the US maintains a decisive overmatch at the warfighter and ground level.


Topics to be covered at the 2018 Summit:

  • Equipping Close Combat Forces with Advanced Capabilities to Maximize Overall Lethality
  • Updating Legacy Systems and Modernizing the PEO Soldier Portfolio
  • Limiting the Weight and Power Usage of Warfighter Capabilities
  • Introducing Adaptive Soldier Architecture
  • Developing and Fielding Innovative Day/Night Imaging Tools to Enhance Situational Awareness
  • Designing Protective Gear for Diverse Range of Environmental and Tactical Missions
  • Delivering Next Generation Weapons to the Warfighter
  • Replacing Obsolete Training Systems and Investing in Modern Training and Simulation Technology


Why you should attend this year's Summit:

Maximizing close combat lethality is currently one of the main priorities of the Department of Defense. To reduce the high number of combat deaths of US Infantry forces, which account for nearly 90% of all US Military casualties, Secretary Mattis has dedicated considerable resources and funds to reforming and advancing the capabilities and preparedness of the close combat warfighter.

Our Warfighter Systems Summit is designed to support these efforts by fostering necessary discussion about the policies and initiatives aimed at replacing legacy capabilities with modern technologies to enhance warfighter lethality, survivability, situational awareness and maneuverability. The Summit will feature speakers from across DoD and services who will examine their critical work fielding innovative and modern weapons, equipment, gear, and training solutions.

Specifically, the agenda will examine the development of key advancements in areas including weapons, armor, vision and power. Lastly, the event will convene a panel to discuss the Synthetic Training Environment and use of VR in modernizing the way soldiers are trained for diverse combat situations.

Attendees at our Warfighter Systems Summit will have a unique opportunity to engage in open and honest conversation with key decision makers about the future of US close combat forces. Attendees will gain valuable insights into navigating the warfighter capabilities acquisition processes and will hear about the solutions urgently needed by warfighters to ensure the US maintains a tactical overmatch over its adversaries.

Our team specializes in the extensive research and development of our Summits' content and focus areas. We assemble the most respected minds in the manufacturing and acquisition communities, as well as the key policy-makers across military and civilian offices. Our non-partisan approach allows us to reach across all services and organizations to bring together a truly holistic group of decision makers and solution providers.


At our Summit you will have the ability:

  • Gain Education & Insight:  Walk away with knowledge gained from our senior level speakers on some of the complex challenges facing our Nation's Close Combat Forces.
  • Build Partnerships: The agenda is designed to allow for ample networking opportunities and the ability to engage in constructive dialogue among all in attendance.
  • Influence: Help foster ideas. Share your own insight and knowledge during our interactive sessions. All attendees are encouraged to address our speaker faculty and each other with their questions, comments or ideas.

2018 Confirmed Speakers:

  • MajGen David Furness, USMC, Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
  • BG Anthony Potts, USA, PEO Soldier
  • COL Travis "Kurt" Thompson, USA, Chief of Staff, Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team, TRADOC Capabilities Manager - Soldier
  • COL Elliott Caggins, USA, PM Soldier Weapons, PEO Soldier
  • Col Michael Manning, USMC, PfM, Ground Combat Element Systems, Marine Corps Systems Command
  • Dr. Donald A. Reago, Jr., Director, Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate, CERDEC
  • COL Troy Denomy, USA, PM Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier
  • Dr. Peter Matic, SES, Superintendent, Materials Science and Technology Division
  • LTC Anthony Kurz, USA, Commander, Concepts and Integration Squadron (DOG Squadron), Asymmetric Warfare Group
  • LTC David Gustafson, USMC Capabilities Branch, Training and Education Command, USMC

Please fill in your name and email to receive the Summit Agenda of this event.

Venue

Mary M. Gates Learning Center
701 N Fairfax St, 22314
Alexandria, VA, USA

Venue

Mary M. Gates Learning Center
701 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA
http://www.marygateslearningcenter.com

**Complimentary WIFI will be provided to all attendees and there is a full business center that attendees will have access to throughout the Summit.

THERE IS NO PARKING AT THE VENUE. Parking available on street and two blocks north at Crown Plaza hotel. (Roughly $19 for the whole day)

Hotel Rooms:
SHERATON SUITES OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA
801 North St. Asaph Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
www.sheraton.com\suitesalexandria
(Two walking blocks from the Mary M. Gates Learning Center.)

Hotel Rooms are available at a discounted rate at ($189 per night) Please identify that you are with Defense Strategies Institute to receive your discount or use the following links:

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wassi-sheraton-suites-old-town-alexandria/

When booking hotel accommodations please first select the dates you would like to reserve, click the Special Rates tab and Select "Corporate/Promo" and enter the code 428957. This will show you the available discounts for Defense Strategies Institute event attendees.

There is also a Crowne Plaza two blocks north at:
901 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 683-6000
Event details
Organizer : DSI
Event type : Conference
Reference : ASDE-19054