By Joan Phillips
NAVAIR Aircraft Division Business Development Office

Vice Admiral Joe Dyer, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), opened the first Maritime Aviation Requirements Summit, held October 8 and 9, at the Holiday Inn at Solomons, Maryland.

“We are joined by the highest decision makers in industry and government,” said Dyer during his opening remarks. He explained that the MARS was conceived as a means for “letting industry know what the future holds” for maritime aviation. Invited participants included senior industry and government decision-makers with responsibility for the development and fielding of aviation weapon systems in support of the maritime aviation warfighter.

The two-day Navy-hosted event drew over 250 participants and focused on “charting the course to 2010 and beyond.” Senior U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard leadership led discussions and presentations, then answered questions about their programs and the future. Information sessions provided industry leaders a clear understanding of the long-range research, development, and procurement projections for maritime aviation and spotlighted the needs of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Vice Admiral John B. Nathman, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirement Programs, Rear Admiral Mike McCabe, Director for Air Warfare, and Major General Michael Hough, Marine Corps Headquarters Deputy Commandant for Aviation, co-hosted MARS with NAVAIR. The event was sponsored by the Patuxent Partnership.

Topics of discussion included the Navy and Marine Corps aviation roadmaps, FORCEnet, Sea Power 21, tactical aircraft plans and programs, near term fiscal environment for naval aviation, joint strike fighter program, future science and technology requirements, positioning NAVAIR to meet future fleet requirements, and partnering with NAVAIR.

During Dyer’s address to the summit attendees, he stressed the value of partnering with industry to meet the needs of the Warfighter, and the importance of being responsive to the fleet’s needs. “One of the best things I think NAVAIR has done in the last few months is to produce the Warfighter Bill of Rights,” said Dyer. The Warfighter Bill of Rights is a document that details the Warfighter’s right to expect platinum standard products and services from NAVAIR. Dyer also recommended that industry contractors consider leasing NAVAIR’s aviation research and development facilities rather than buying its own.

Near the conclusion of the summit, six industry representatives and a moderator conducted an industry perspective panel discussion and question and answer session. The industry representatives spoke about their challenges and successes. They also used the opportunity to comment on how they think the government and industry can work better together.

Originally, the MARS was planned for Oct. 2001, but due to the events of Sept. 11, the summit was postponed. The NAVAIR Aircraft Division business development office, in cooperation with the Patuxent Partnership, sustained the lead in making the concept of MARS a reality.

“This event has been an outstanding opportunity for leaders from both government and industry to get together and experience face-to-face communication about our requirements,” said Phil Zalesak, NAVAIR Aircraft Division’s business development director. “The two-day summit exceeded my expectations.”

Photo by Joan Phillips
Vice Admiral Joe Dyer, NAVAIR Commander, speaks to Maritime Aviation Requirements Summit attendees about the meeting the fleet’s requirements during the event on October 9, 2002.

(For more information on the release, call Joan Phillips at 301-757-1789.)