Defense Digital Ecosystem Summit 2027
Accelerating Warfighter Capability Through Digital Interoperability
Beyond Standards. Demonstrating Interoperability.
Hosted By
NIAR, Wichita State University
Location
4004 N Webb Road, Wichita, KS
Date
February 23, 2027
Admission
Free & Open to the Public — Limited Capacity
Beyond Standards. Demonstrating Interoperability.
The Defense Digital Ecosystem Alliance (DDEA) is pleased to announce its inaugural Defense Digital Ecosystem Summit 2027, bringing together government, industry, and academia to advance digital interoperability and accelerate the delivery of capabilities to the warfighter.
This is not another conference about what interoperability should look like. It is about demonstrating what interoperability looks like in practice.
The Summit will move beyond discussions of standards, frameworks, and architectures to showcase real-world implementations, working solutions, and measurable results. Government, industry, and academic leaders will share practical examples of how they are connecting disparate systems, breaking down digital silos, and enabling trusted information exchange across the defense acquisition and operational lifecycle.
Rocio (Rosie) Bauer
Director for Data, Engineering & Software (DES), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
Rocio Bauer will deliver the Summit's keynote address, providing a government perspective on advancing digital engineering, interoperability, and the transformation of defense acquisition.
Featured Speakers
Additional speakers will be announced. Check back for updates.
Agenda Overview
February 22
Sunday
Welcome Reception
Kick off the Defense Digital Ecosystem Summit with an evening of networking and collaboration. Join fellow attendees, industry leaders, and government partners for an informal reception designed to build connections and set the stage for two days of digital‑interoperability and innovation.
February 23
Monday
Summit
The full‑day Summit features keynote speakers, technical sessions, and collaborative panel discussions focused on advancing capabilities through digital interoperability. Attendees will explore emerging standards and share best practices.
February 24
Tuesday
Hands‑On Sessions
Space is limitedDive deeper with interactive sessions that put concepts into action.
What We'll Cover
Interoperability in Action
Demonstrating how disparate engineering, acquisition, manufacturing, and sustainment systems exchange and use digital information.
Open Architectures and Standards Implementation
Moving beyond defining standards to demonstrating their practical application in operational environments.
The Digital Thread in Practice
Connecting authoritative data across the defense lifecycle, from requirements and design through production and sustainment.
Accelerating the Defense Industrial Base
Digital interoperability is transforming defense manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and accelerating production through connected engineering and manufacturing systems.
Trusted Digital Data and Automated Validation
Improving data quality, traceability, and confidence through automated verification and validation.
AI-Ready Digital Ecosystems
Enabling artificial intelligence, digital twins, and advanced analytics through connected, trusted digital information.
From Demonstration to Deployment
Sharing lessons learned, implementation challenges, and measurable outcomes from government and industry programs.
Demonstrate What's Possible
The Summit will feature a dedicated Technology Showcase, providing DDEA member organizations an opportunity to demonstrate solutions that enable digital interoperability. Special emphasis will be placed on practical demonstrations, multi-vendor integration, and real-world applications that illustrate how open digital ecosystems can deliver measurable value to defense programs.
Inquire About the ShowcaseShow Us, Don't Just Tell Us
DDEA is seeking speakers and presentations that emphasize real implementations, demonstrated capabilities, and lessons learned rather than conceptual architectures or product presentations. Joint government, industry, and academic presentations, cross-organizational use cases, and multi-vendor demonstrations are strongly encouraged.
Submit a Topic or Speaker IdeaThank You to Our Sponsors
The DDEA Summit 2027 is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.
Interested in sponsoring the DDEA Summit 2027? Contact us to learn more.
NIAR, Wichita State University
The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University is one of the largest aviation research institutes in the United States, with world-class facilities and deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, and aerospace research.
Free & Open to the Public
The Summit is FREE and open to the public. Attendance is limited, and DDEA members will receive priority registration. Government leaders, defense acquisition professionals, program managers, engineering and technology executives, solution providers, and academic researchers are encouraged to participate.