Defense News convened a panel of experts to examine what it actually takes to scale missile production in today’s security environment. Panelists explored the supplier ecosystem that supports prime contractors and missile programs, with a focus on the specialized component providers that enable production capacity, reliability, and rapid replenishment. The discussion addressed where bottlenecks typically emerge across the supply chain, how trusted suppliers reduce risk and compress timelines, and what investment and operational changes are needed to expand output without compromising performance in mission-critical systems.

Watch Recording:

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Jahara ‘FRANKY’ Matisek, Senior Fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy & Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University
• Jason Meredith, President of Solid Missile Systems, Ursa Major
• Jason Reynolds, VP of Integrated Air & Missile Defense, Lockheed Martin
• Jeffrey Coffed, Senior Industry Manager, Aerospace and Defense, Regal Rexnord