COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command conducted its annual Science & Technology, Research & Development, and Innovation Homeland Defense Symposium in conjunction with its quarterly Industry Days event Nov. 13-17, 2023, at the Booz Allen Hamilton Wolf Creek Conference Center in Colorado Springs. These events helped to refine mid-term Homeland Defense challenges and synchronized key government stakeholders with innovative technology solutions from industry.
Over 150 government participants from 36 organizations across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom gathered for this iteration of STRDI to engage in purpose-driven crosstalk that refined homeland defense problem sets aimed at developing and coordinating necessary solutions. The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Requirements, Analysis, and Resources Directorate facilitated three workshops that connected diverse groups of professionals to discuss this symposium’s themes of all-domain awareness, risk mitigation, and effectors.
“We gathered the most knowledgeable experts from around the world to synchronize an unambiguous focus for the future of homeland defense,” said Col. Jason Golaboski, Science & Technology Division chief. “I am blown away by the diversity and the quality of the discussions and solution opportunities generated during STRDI, and I am undeniably proud of the team that put this symposium together.”
Industry Days immediately followed STRDI, and the event attracted over 70 industry professionals from both large and small firms to showcase dozens of innovative technologies, many of which have significant potential to mitigate existing homeland defense capabilities gaps. Industry Days aligned with the command’s imperative to build partnerships with industry in support of keeping the United States and Canada technologically and strategically ahead of global threats.
“I must reiterate, as our commander has made clear, that our Homeland is not a sanctuary,” said Maj. Gen. Allan Pepin, NORAD & USNORTHCOM chief of staff, during his keynote address to Industry Days participants.
Upon completion of Pepin’s keynote address, a panel of six NORAD and USNORTHCOM senior leaders encompassing data, operations, intelligence, logistics and plans and policy was conducted to present their most pressing challenges, affording industry the details they need to help solve challenges. Industry representatives reported that this engagement afforded a far greater understanding for their firms, and many were connected with government organizations interested in applying new technologies towards future challenges.
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