Adopting a new mindset, a new business model, and a new way of thinking are steps that the defense industry can take to support customers facing the daunting task of staying one step ahead of increasingly complex threats amid shrinking budget resources.  

That’s the view Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Chris Chadwick shared with the recent Air Force Association Air and Space Conference & Technology Exposition, during which Air Force leadership, industry experts, and academia came together to discuss the issues and challenges facing the aerospace community.  

The changes, said Chadwick, start with a new mindset within the industry to evolve at a faster pace than ever before, finding new ways to create value. Next, industry needs a new model, both inside the organization and when partnering with government, to seamlessly upgrade systems rather than re-engineer new solutions.  

Finally, industry needs a new way to think about innovation, finding inspiration in unconventional ways. Chadwick explained how Boeing subsidiary Insitu evolved unmanned vehicle technology originally developed to help fisherman track tuna into capabilities of the Scan Eagle – an unmanned aircraft that has flown more than 800,000 combat hours. Chadwick said that finding the Scan Eagles of the world is the mindset he’s encouraging in Boeing’s defense business.  

To hear more about Chadwick’s thoughts on the future of the defense industry, watch this interview with Defense News: