REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center hosted a three-day, "Industry Days," event. Government, industry and academia are invited to learn more about the current and future strategies related to AMRDEC Aviation and Missile Science and Technology and their directorates.

Information about upcoming new programs and project overviews were provided, in addition to experimental results and project plans for future Aviation and Missile S&T sponsored research. "The criticality of the event is the communication that occurs as the Army shares with industry what is important to its future as it relates to developing capabilities in the aviation and missile arena. It's the partnerships between the government and industry where ideas are shared and capabilities are developed," said Acting AMRDEC Director Jeff Langhout.

Focus areas included air defense, fire support, ground tactical, aviation weapons, mission systems, platforms, sustainment, concept designs and assessment, power, basic research and contracting opportunities.

The first day focused on the missile programs from Weapons Development and Integration Directorate. Aviation was the focus of the second day with briefings from Aviation Development Directorate.

This is the second year missile systems was included in the event. Bringing in this side opened new opportunities. "By having a diverse pool where we now are gathering those technology concepts, those thoughts, it helps us to provide better solutions," said Dr. Juanita Harris, Director, WDI. "We have a responsibility within the Army to provide technology solutions for not just future readiness but even the fight today."

Leaders are encouraged to optimize communication and collaboration with each other. "We have to team with members of the community for the best solutions. We cannot do that as the government alone," said Dr. William Lewis, Director, ADD. "You need to look at how to collaborate and team in order to come up with a capability solution for the Warfighter." Harris agreed saying, "Open engagement is imperative in order to advance future force and Army needs."

Langhout concluded, "The government and industry have their respective roles in our nation's defense and when we are locked tight with industry clearly understanding the Army's needs and the Army clearly articulating its expectations, then as a nation we have the best chance to predictively fund our efforts and thus deliver the best possible readiness and future capability to fight and win our nation's conflicts."

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The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to provide innovative research, development and engineering to produce capabilities for decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the Joint Warfighter and the Nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Material Command.