Industry plays a critical role in delivering mission-critical capabilities to the warfighter, safeguarding global stability, economic prosperity, and the security of the United States and its allies. However, manufacturing bottlenecks, technology gaps, and workforce challenges threaten throughput and timely delivery for the Department of War (DoW).
Hosted by ARM Platinum Member Northrop Grumman, this webinar brought together leading experts from defense contractors and government to diagnose the current state of the Defense Industrial Base’s manufacturing, discuss where the industry needs to grow, and outline capabilities needed for expansion and long-term sustainability. Through open discussion, this panel explored their understanding of the systemic gaps motivating automated solutions and why automated manufacturing can be the key to unlocking a resilient, rapid-response, agile production ecosystem.
This webinar answered key questions, including:
- When you hear the phrase ‘America’s Manufacturing Readiness for DoW’, what does ‘ready’ actually mean in practical terms for you?
- What are the top advanced manufacturing priorities you’re pursuing right now, and how do you expect those priorities to evolve over the next decade?
- What considerations, in your experience, do you typically need to make in a design or manufacturing plan to include automation up front that differ from traditional manual production?
- How are individuals rethinking organic industrial base modernization in light of recent operational demands? Where do advanced manufacturing and robotics fit into that modernization roadmap?
- How do you combat outdated perceptions about manufacturing and build the workforce needed to secure US manufacturing competitiveness? Hint: our panelists pointed to the ARM Institute’s RoboticsCareer.org resource as a key tool.
- How can small and medium-sized manufacturers take better advantage of robotics and AI?
Note: Our panelists shared their personal perspectives as they relate to the discussion, but these views do not reflect the official views of their fuller organizations.
Meet Our Expert Presenters:
Host & Moderator: Angelina Cha, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Angelina Cha is the Contract Research and Development (CRAD) manager for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) out of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. Since joining Northrop Grumman, Cha has worked on over five aerospace programs and led technological development efforts within each manufacturing platform encompassing all life cycle phases of defense production. Additionally, Cha has held various roles within Northrop Grumman Tool Design, Advanced Automation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology departments.
In her role, Cha is responsible for leveraging strategic partnerships to innovate technology discriminators, increase capture probability, and cultivate a strong supply base to advance the state of manufacturing. Focusing on early technology maturation and clear strategic program transition, Cha and her team leverage the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) scale to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring seamless integration into production.
Cha holds a Master of Science degree in Space Systems Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, with a focus on astronautics, and minors in Applied Mathematics and Physics, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
Marco Chacin, Airbus
Marco Chacin is a robotics and automation expert with a strong foundation in electronics and control engineering. He earned his B.S. and Master’s degrees in Venezuela before moving to Japan in 2003 to pursue a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Tohoku University, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
For over two decades, he has held key roles at leading tech companies worldwide, including Toyota, Cyberdyne, KUKA Robotics, Aerotech, and MathWorks, driving innovation in robotics and automation.
In 2018, he joined Airbus as Principal Robotics Engineer and, by 2022, became Head of Actuators and End Effectors. Today, he is shaping the Airbus’ robotics and automation strategy as Robotics R&T program Lead and Robotics R&T Roadmap Owner for the group.
Michael Hollis, Department of War
Michael Hollis serves as the Government Program Manager for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, leveraging 36 years of distinguished service as a Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian to drive industrial modernization. He began his career at the Army Research Laboratory, where he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialized concentration in ballistics. Transitioning to the Picatinny Arsenal Armament Center, Mr. Hollis collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design a wide range of tube-launched ammunition systems, including 40mm grenades, mortars, tank and artillery ammunition.
Beyond projectile hardware design, Mr. Hollis has consistently championed manufacturing execution and innovation. During his tenure as a Branch Chief within Picatinny’s manufacturing center, he pioneered and facilitated advanced manufacturing techniques to successfully transition critical components from design to production. More recently, he has directed his expertise toward modernizing Army Ammunition Plants and collaborating with Organic Industrial Base (OIB) sites. Mr. Hollis remains dedicated to his core mission: strengthening America’s arsenal through rapid technology implementation and targeted workforce education.
Dwight Maness, Air Force Research Laboratory
Dwight Maness is the Agile Manufacturing Tech Area Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Foundational Technologies Directorate (AFRL/REM). For the past 16 years, Dwight has been building and developing robotic systems across academia, industry, and the Air Force. In his current role, he manages a diverse portfolio that includes automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and non-destructive inspection (NDI). His main focus is finding creative ways to combine these technologies, transforming traditional, rigid manufacturing lines into highly flexible and responsive networks. Areas of Interest include: adaptable manufacturing, distributed/ deployable systems, and hybridized machining centers.
Beyond his daily work at AFRL, Dwight helps guide broader defense manufacturing initiatives. He serves as the Research & Engineering (R&E) Co-Chair for the Joint Robotics Organization for Building Organic Technologies (JROBOT) and is a primary member of the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (AME) subpanel.
Todd Szallay, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Todd Szallay is Senior Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Operations for the Global Operations organization at Northrop Grumman.
In this role, Todd is responsible for establishing an enterprise-wide Manufacturing Management System framework, driving manufacturing operations performance, and accelerating implementation of advanced manufacturing capabilities while maximizing digital connectivity and core competencies. As part of this role, Todd is the chair of the Manufacturing Operations Council consisting of our sector Manufacturing Operations vice presidents to drive performance and speed across the enterprise.
Previously at Northrop Grumman, Todd was Senior Director for Infrastructure & Deployment of the Sentinel program, under the Strategic Deterrent Systems Division, responsible for real property design & construction, weapon system equipment installation & check-out, and element level systems engineering.
Additionally, Mr. Szallay’s experience includes corporate NG Fellow for Advanced Manufacturing, Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Technology, & Innovation for the Aerospace Systems sector, and Integrated Product Team lead for several key sector priority programs and captures.
Mr. Szallay holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering & Technology from California State University Long Beach, and a master’s degree in Systems Architecture and Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Learn more about Northrop Grumman
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