National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has expanded their emphasis on the application of systems engineering approaches to ‘missions’.  Mission Engineering (ME) is “an interdisciplinary approach and process encompassing the entire technical effort to analyze, design, and integrate current and emerging operational needs and capabilities to achieve desired mission outcomes”.  This presentation outlines the current mission engineering methodology, describes how it is currently being applied, and explores the role of T&E in the ME process.

Mission engineering is applying systems engineering to missions – that is, engineering a system of systems, (including organizations, people and technical systems) to provide desired impact on mission or capability outcomes.  Traditionally, systems of systems engineering focused on designing systems or systems of systems to achieve specified technical performance.  Mission engineering goes one step further to assess whether the system of systems, when deployed in a realistic user environment, achieves the user mission or capability objectives.  

Mission engineering applies digital model-based engineering approaches to describe the sets of activities in the form of ‘mission threads’ (or activity models) needed to execute the mission and then adds information on players and systems used to implement these activities in the form of ‘mission engineering threads.’ These digital ‘mission models’ are then implemented in operational simulations to assess how well they achieve user capability objectives. Gaps are identified and models are updated to reflect proposed changes, including reorientation of systems and insertion of new candidate solutions and which are assessed relative to changes in overall mission effectiveness.  

As stated in the US DoD Mission Engineering Guide (MEG 2.0), mission engineering uses systems and SoS in an operational mission context to inform stakeholders about building the right things, not just building things right, by guiding capability maturation to address warfighter mission needs.

This summer, top-notch Modeling & Simulation (M&S) demonstrations from around the country will be brought to the nation’s capital at the Capitol Hill M&S Expo 2026. The National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) sponsors this annual expo in support of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus. The theme for 2026 is The Power of Modeling and Simulation Technologies: Integrating Artificial Intelligence to Enhance our National Security. The event will provide information and demonstrations highlighting ways that modeling and simulation can support our nation’s resilience across all domains to include healthcare, disaster response, infrastructure, transportation, emergency management, and defense.

The co-chairs of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL), and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) are invited to make remarks during the exhibit along with other members of the Caucus.

The pace of modern conflict is accelerating. New technologies, joint operations, and increasingly contested environments are forcing militaries to adapt faster than ever before. Yet many organizations remain constrained by legacy communication systems that cannot keep up with the speed and complexity of today’s battlefield.

In this discussion, Patrick Vaughn and Edwin Carrasquillo of REDCOM examine the growing gap between how quickly the operational landscape is evolving and how prepared forces are to respond. They explore why reliable, interoperable tactical communications remain the foundation of mission success, especially across joint and coalition operations.

Drawing on REDCOM’s work with NATO partners and the development of solutions like REDCOM STRIKE, they highlight how modern, flexible communication platforms are enabling forces to operate seamlessly across networks, devices, and domains. The conversation focuses on what needs to change, what’s already working, and how defense organizations can better prepare for the realities of the modern fight.

Members are invited to join the NDIA Logistics Management Division for our next meeting on July 23, 2026 from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm. 

Our guest speaker will be Erica Plath, a member of the Senior Executive Service and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Logistics, will provide an update on key issues, challenges and initiatives within her portfolio.

This meeting is not open to press. 

About NDIA's Logistics Management Division

Through NDIA’s Logistics Management Division, government and industry exchange views and information on all matters relating to logistics support for major Defense Department systems and materiel items. It provides the government with collective industry viewpoints, recommendations and advice on government logistics-support concepts, policies, plans, programs, requirements, technologies, problems, implementation or impact of pending legislation, regulations and procedures. The division conducts special studies, analyses and advisories, as requested, and encourages mutual understanding and effective working relationships between government and industry to ensure efficient and reliable logistics-support concepts and systems that meet government requirements at reasonable costs.

• Evidence-First Analysis: Learn to separate data analysis from causal analysis, using disciplined Lines of Inquiry to guard against confirmation bias and premature conclusions before building cause-and-effect logic.
• Systems Thinking: Apply defense-in-depth analysis and systems theory to identify where organizational defenses failed and what systemic conditions made failure inevitable—moving beyond surface-level "human error" to address root causes.
• Human & Organizational Performance Integration: Evaluate culture, leadership, and organizational conditions as first-class causal factors, not afterthoughts, treating frontline behaviors as symptoms of upstream conditions.
• AI-Enhanced Efficiency: Leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate data analysis and pattern recognition in Phase 1, while maintaining human-led causal analysis in Phase 2 to preserve the integrity of subject matter expertise.
• Scalable Methodology: Master a graded approach that applies the same framework to everyday 2-4 hour apparent cause evaluations and multi-week root cause investigations of complex, recurring problems.
• Sustainable Corrective Actions: Design high-leverage corrective and preventive actions using the hierarchy of hazard controls and Lean mistake-proofing principles—strategies proven to prevent recurrence.

For 28 years, the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, AL has stood as the definitive forum where the future of space and missile defense is forged. As the largest gathering of industry leaders, government officials, and technical experts—including decision makers, policy makers, technologists, scientists, engineers, operators, and architects—this symposium not only celebrates a storied history but also propels innovation and strategic dialogue.

With a legacy of excellence, the event has consistently provided an unparalleled platform for knowledge sharing, critical discussions, and cutting-edge insights that drive national and global security forward, solidifying its position as the foremost assembly in the space and missile defense community.

Navigating the 2026 FAR Overhaul (Cyber, CUI, & Supply Chain Compliance). Please join NDIA Cybersecurity Division for a briefing and discussion regarding the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council’s newly released Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) proposed rules under FAR Case 2026-001. This sweeping regulatory reform resets federal procurement standards to streamline buying while imposing unified, strict security protocols across the entire federal supply chain.

MODSIM World 2026 will represent a deliberate shift in direction. Delivering a new focus on speed, integration, and mission impact across the Modeling & Simulation (M&S) enterprise. This evolution moves beyond traditional conference dialogue toward rapid capability integration, cross-domain collaboration, and practical application, ensuring that ideas transition more quickly into operational outcomes. By convening the global M&S community under this renewed vision, MODSIM is prioritizing innovation with urgency, strengthening real-world capability, and increasing velocity across industries and mission domains to meet the demands of a more complex and competitive environment.

***This is a classified meeting on Wednesday at the TS/SCI Level.  Thursday is non- classified***

WHY ATTEND

• Connect – Engage in person with mission-driven professionals from across the space enterprise, including program managers, acquisition leaders, engineers, scientists, strategists, and international partners from government, industry, and academia.
• Learn – Gain critical insight during dynamic plenary sessions and exclusive briefings, including both unclassified and classified content led by USSPACECOM and USSF leadership.
• Showcase – Position your organization in front of senior decision-makers shaping the future of space warfighting. Sponsorships offer prime visibility and networking opportunities throughout the forum.