CONFERENCE TOPICS IN 2024

This panel aims to decipher the challenges and issues facing the national and allied defense aerospace model, in general, and its technical-operational dimension, in particular, in a potential context of high-intensity crisis. It primarily gives the floor to military operators who seek to describe, for each operational environment utilizing the third dimension, the consequences in terms of aerospace support of an international engagement characterized by a high operational tempo, compromised logistics, and potential material fatigue or significant attrition.

This panel can be considered as the first part of a reflection on the adaptation of defense aerospace MRO to critical conflict. The second panel will address, from the same perspective, the industrial dimension.

The panel intends to share reflections on the industrial consequences, in terms of operational support for Defence Aviation, of an Alliance or coalition military commitment of France in a major conflict of high intensity. It gives voice to senior state officials (DGA, DMAé, SIAE) and industry representatives (from various equipment or service sectors), responsible for overseeing the technical and logistical functions of aerospace support.

The panel will address the political-economic and industrial perspectives related to the necessary production ramp-up (equipment and services) demanded by a major conflict. Its objective is also to shed light on and propose orientations regarding organizational convergence factors to capitalize on, as well as conceptual divergences to resolve, between operational needs and industrial contingencies.

The panel intends to discuss current and future technical and operational breakthrough in aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) in general, and specifically in defense aerospace support, either jointly or distinctly. It provides a platform for representatives from research and innovation entities interested in aerospace MRO, whether they originate from state structures (ONERA , the French Aerospace Lab ; DGA/AID, Defence Innovation Agency), innovation clusters (LRH, Photonics and Microwaves Cluster), or the defense industry.

Innovations will be explored with a view to meeting the capability requirements of Air Forces and enhancing their power through the support of combat fleets that they can optimize. They will be valued in terms of responsiveness, speed, efficiency, and technical-operational resilience. In this context, the panel will strive to promote cooperation among public, civilian, military, and private stakeholders.

The panel aims to explore innovative efforts within the aerospace industry, in general and specifically within its Operational Support / Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, to align with national and European strategies for sustainable development. It will provide a platform for representatives from governmental services and the aerospace support industry who are developing strategies or operational solutions to reduce the environmental impact of technical activities.

These innovations will be examined with the dual aim of environmental performance and ensuring operational effectiveness. They will encompass all areas of aerospace support and the entire lifecycle of aircraft platforms, from design to decommissioning, including Operational Support Services.

The panel focuses on the challenges and issues facing the operational defense aerospace model in general, and aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO activities) in particular. It provides a platform for civilian and military officials responsible for employment, recruitment, and human resources management in the Aerospace and Defence (ASD) sector.

The panel aims to explore the human situation confronting both civilian and military technical support in defense aviation, characterized by the scarcity of resources, difficulty in maintaining skills, as well as coping with production ramp-up and the potential shift to a wartime economy. It considers solutions for human 'rearmament' in the ASD sector (attractiveness, recruitment, retention, gender diversity, etc.), with the objective of reconciling industrial and operational needs with the expectations of new generations, where personal stakes increasingly outweigh collective concerns.

The panel is interested in efforts and initiatives taken regarding training in aerospace Operational Support Services for both young generations (initial training) and professionals (continuing education). It brings together civilian and military representatives from the sector acting for diverse audiences ranging from technical training including secondary to higher educations (technicians, engineers) through various pedagogical methods (classroom teaching, apprenticeships, internships).

The panel aims to explore avenues for improvement that would accelerate training cycles while making them more effective and attractive, especially for female audiences. To achieve this, it examines innovative pedagogical approaches, factors influencing interactions between teachers and students, as well as successful partnerships between educational institutions, armed forces, and industry.