MITRE has announced the agenda and speakers for Breaking Barriers in Defense Acquisition, a two-day summit for senior defense officials, industry innovators, policymakers, and private capital funders who are shaping the future of defense acquisition. In partnership with the Silverado Policy Accelerator, the summit will take place May 7 and 8, 2025, at MITRE’s campus in McLean, Virginia, with hybrid attendance available for day 1 of the conference.

“We will craft a roadmap for a transformative acquisition ecosystem—built for speed, innovation, and dominant warfighting capabilities,” said Keoki Jackson, senior vice president, general manager, MITRE National Security. “The summit’s speakers, panels, and workshops will engage industry and government stakeholders, tackling acquisition’s toughest challenges in partnership to deliver actionable solutions.”

On day 1, participants will be immersed in keynotes, panels, and debate. MITRE will release its inaugural survey results on the state of defense acquisition, and in-person attendees can tour MITRE’s research and technology labs.

Hear keynotes and fireside chats from defense and industry leaders such as:

• U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
• Admiral Samuel Paparo, U.S. Naval commander, Indo-Pacific Command (pre-recorded)
• Lieutenant General Dale White, U.S. Air Force, military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
• Joseph Welch, acting deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Futures Command
• Richard Palmer, deputy director, Capability and Resource Integration (J8), U.S. Space Command
• Eric Fanning, president and chief executive officer, Aerospace Industries Association
• Mark Peters, president and chief executive officer, MITRE

Engage in panels:

• Innovation & Disruption for Capability Driven Acquisition with speakers from DARPA, the DoD Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell, and L3Harris Technologies
• Buying Better to Accelerate DoD Capability with speakers from Andreessen Horowitz, Anduril Industries, Microsoft, and NDIA
• Scaling and Revitalizing the Manufacturing Base and Supply Chain with speakers from the Center for a New American Security and CTC Aero
• Extending Capabilities through Allies & Partners with speakers from allied governments and the America’s Frontier Fund

Day 2 kicks off with a keynote from Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the United States. Then participants will engage in focused, concurrent workshops under Chatham House rules to deliver recommendations for:

• Extending software intensive acquisition pathways,
• Rapid acquisition for DoD priority capabilities,
• Supply chain and revitalizing the manufacturing base, and
• Strengthening capabilities with allies and partners.

Current approaches to innovation need to ensure the warfighter’s edge and national security by balancing the adoption of commercial technologies into defense systems with rapid development of military technology. The Breaking Barriers Summit aims to help establish actionable strategies for building a more agile, effective, and innovative acquisition ecosystem. MITRE will present findings and recommendations from the summit later this spring.

To get involved, visit MITRE’s event page, register for in-person attendance (days 1 and 2), or register for virtual attendance (day 1 only).

About MITRE

MITRE’s mission-driven teams are dedicated to driving solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges. As a not-for-profit research and development organization, MITRE’s staff leverage our unique multi-sponsor vantage point, systems expertise, and innovative solutions to ensure the health, prosperity, and security of our nation.

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“We will craft a roadmap for a transformative acquisition ecosystem—built for speed, innovation, and dominant warfighting capabilities,” said Keoki Jackson, senior vice president, general manager, MITRE National Security.