Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

06/16/2026

ES Automated Systems & Robotics Industry Study Visits NVIDIA, AeroVironment, Anduril, Hadrian, Hanwha, and LIGNEX1. ES Autonomous Systems & Robotics Industry Studies, conducted a CONUS field study in California, visiting General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Anduril Industries, Hadrian, AeroVironment, and NVIDIA. These engagements highlighted a U.S. ecosystem driven by rapid innovation, venture capital, and software-first autonomy, with firms emphasizing scalable, attritable systems, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure.

This cohort conducted an OCONUS field study in the Republic of South Korea, engaging key defense and robotics stakeholders. In South Korea, the group visited LIG Nex1 (Gumi and Pangyo), Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, Hanwha Aerospace - 한화에어로스페이스 and R&D facilities in Changwon, and the Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab and Central Research Center. Travel through manufacturing hub clusters like Daegu, Geoje, Changwon, and Pangyo Techno Valley provided direct insight into South Korea’s vertically integrated, export-driven defense industrial base and its ability to scale autonomous systems and robotics. Additional engagements throughout the program included advanced manufacturing firms such as HD Hyundai Robotics, as well as interactions with U.S. government representatives.

National Defense University

06/13/2026

Congratulations to the incredible graduates of the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy!

For the past year, these exceptional military officers, government civilians, private sector fellows and international partners dove deep into the complexities of national security, strategic resourcing, and industrial mobilization. They didn't just examine the past—they prepared to lead what comes next.

"Strategy is the art of making use of time and space." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

As they step out of the seminar rooms and back to the front lines of strategy and policy, we know they are ready to tackle the world’s most complex challenges with the insight, rigor, and joint-force perspective that defines the warfighting spirit of the Eisenhower School.

To our graduates: May your decisions be sharp, your leadership bold, and your dedication to service unwavering.

Go forth and make history Tigers! Congratulations Class of 2026! 🎖️ 🐯

National Defense University

06/10/2026

ES Weapons Industry Studies visits Thales (Paris) and NitroChem (Poland). The Weapons Industry study recently visited defense partner Thales in Paris, France as part of its program of study. Engagement with global firms continues to be a critical component for the U.S. Defense Industrial Base and Thales is a major supplier to US defense interests. Students learned about the complex nature of international trade, foreign sales, and joint opportunities that are critical to the defense of the homeland.

Poland's NitroChem facility continues to be a critical component to U.S. defense industrial base interests. Students from the Eisenhower School's Weapons Industry Study visited its flagship production site to learn about partnerships, sales, production, and defense industrial base risks and opportunities that support national security. The visit was a first for the Eisenhower School and will, undoubtedly, lead to future cooperation.
National Defense University

06/05/2026

ES Industry Studies visits Forterra and Textron. Forterra hosted more than 30 students and faculty from the Eisenhower School’s Weapons & Ground Combat Systems, and Automated Systems & Robotics, Industry Studies programs at the National Defense University, representing U.S. military services, civilian professionals, and international partners. The visit highlighted Forterra’s core philosophy that operational requirements should drive autonomous warfighting solutions, emphasizing the need to align emerging ground technologies with real-world mission demands. Forterra showcased several of its autonomous software and hardware designs for driverless land systems, including armored vehicles, trucks, and ATVs, used in logistics, reconnaissance, and commercial environments such as warehouses and ports. Forterra systems are built on foundational platforms that enable intelligent coordination, rapid adaptation, and precise ex*****on in modern conflict.

Textron also hosted more than 30 students and faculty from the same Industry Studies programs at the National Defense University, a cohort of senior U.S. military leaders, civilian professionals, and international partners. During the visit, Textron outlined its role as a global, multi-industry manufacturer of advanced aerospace, defense, and industrial systems, while providing an overview of its major business divisions and areas for future growth. As a major American industrial conglomerate, Textron Aviation operates across aerospace, defense, and specialized vehicles, with brands including Bell Textron, Cessna, Beechcraft, Lycoming Engines, and E-Z-GO. Discussions focused in particular on Textron’s expanding portfolio of autonomous capabilities across air, land, and maritime domains, highlighting how its integrated technologies support both military missions and commercial applications.

Security Systems

06/02/2026

Senior Acquisition Course hosts USCG Dep CMDT and USAF PDAS Financial Management & Comptroller. The Eisenhower School recently hosted two excellent speakers regarding federal budgeting, strategic acquisitions, and transformational procurement approaches. The speakers were Rear Admiral Chad Jacoby, USCG, who is the Deputy Commandant for Systems and Chief Acquisition Executive, and Ms. Laura Sayer, who is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller.

RADM Jacoby is the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Deputy Commandant for Systems and Chief Acquisition Executive. His insights, expertise, and currency in his pivotal roles within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acquisition community were valued and appreciated. In his many roles, he oversees Program Executive Offices (PEOs) for Sea, Air, C5I, Shore, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, and serves as the Director of Contracting & Procurement / Head of Contracting Authority and Director of Technology Readiness. His perspectives on the many changes occurring within the Defense Industrial Base, acquisitions, and procurement were welcome and discerning.

Ms. Sayer is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. Ms. Sayer’s insights, expertise, and currency with the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Ex*****on (PPBE) process were insightful and provided a venue for a broad and deep discussion of its application and operation. Her insights and perspectives on the many changes occurring within the Department of War, Financial Management, and Strategic Acquisitions were welcome, especially regarding the PPBE.

These excellent speakers provided their perspectives on the many changes occurring within the Defense Industrial Base, acquisitions, and procurement. Their insights, expertise, and currency in their pivotal roles within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Air Force, respectively, were valued and deeply appreciated.

05/26/2026

ES Strategic Materials Industry Study Digs Deep into Critical Mineral Mining and Rare Earth Magnets. The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Strategic Materials Industry Study recently explored Freeport-McMoRan's Safford copper mine and Miami smelter in Arizona, getting first-hand exposure to the technology and logistical precision required to extract critical minerals profitably and at scale. They also had the opportunity to visit the underground Henderson Molybdenum mine in Colorado. The students came away with a deeper understanding of economic tradeoffs and national security intersections, and witnessed the explosions, crushing, processing, leaching, and smelting necessary to get copper and molybdenum from "dirt to delivery."

In keeping with its founding mission to be a “little school to keep in touch with industry,” 271 ES students and 38 faculty members carried out the first of its industry staff rides for academic year 2026. Nineteen other seminar teams successfully visited more than 60 industry stakeholders in 20 cities across 12 states. By giving ES students face-to-face, immersive, on-site industry exposure, the distinctive ES industry staff rides in the Industry Study Course provide focused, experiential learning to evaluate how to improve government-private sector interactions in support of national defense.

The National Security Strategy (NSS) mentions access to critical minerals six times as an important national security objective. Visiting domestic production facilities allows ES students to deeply understand issues related to development, supply chain, and production, so as to inform their policy recommendations to achieve this important goal.

The course followed up this experience with visits to IperionX and Aclara's Pilot Plant, both of which demonstrated cutting edge projects to process critical minerals, addressing the critical gap between mining and the production of final products. Rounding out the life cycle of critical minerals, the Industry Study visited Electron Energy Corporation, one of the few producers of rare earth magnets in the U.S. Overall, these visits provided students with a deeper understanding of economic tradeoffs and national security intersections in the Strategic Materials space.

05/22/2026

ES Visits Navy’s Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic. This year's Eisenhower School Nuclear Triad Industry Study cohort recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic (SWFLANT) in Kings Bay, Georgia. It was a profound experience to see firsthand the immense coordination and technical expertise required to maintain the sea-based leg of our nation’s strategic deterrent.

The visit provided a comprehensive look at the ecosystem supporting our Ohio-class submarines and preparations for the future Columbia-class submarines. Key highlights from the trip included:
• SWFLANT Briefings: Engagement with the dedicated personnel who manage the processing, assembly, movement, and protection of strategic assets. Their commitment to safety and precision is the backbone of the enterprise.

• Industry Partnership with Lockheed Martin: Seeing the integration between the Navy and industry partners like Lockheed Martin underscored the importance of the TRIDENT II D5 Missile Life Extension programs.

• Tour Aboard the USS MARYLAND (SSBN-738): Touring the boat was a powerful reminder of the "Silent Service." Stepping into the spaces where Sailors live and work while carrying out the most critical mission in national security was truly humbling.

As we look toward the future transition to the Columbia-class, the lessons learned at Kings Bay regarding infrastructure, workforce development, and lifecycle sustainment are more relevant than ever.

Thank you to the teams at SWFLANT and the crew of the USS MARYLAND (SSBN-738) for their hospitality, transparency, and for the vital work they do every day to ensure a safe and stable world.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

ES Distinguished Visitor Day. What are the key risks and opportunities across the U.S. defense industrial base?

On May 15th at the Eisenhower School's Distinguished Visitor Day, 19 student research teams presented analysis highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities, surge capacity challenges, and innovation pathways relevant to defense requirements.

DV Day reports are the capstone of the ES students' curriculum, including analysis of original data gathered during multiple weeks of on-site and face-to-face visits with 500+ industrial stakeholders across 90 cities in 25 states and 19 nations.

We thank the 90+ senior defense and industry leaders who joined us at National Defense University to examine industrial capacity to support military readiness, modernization, and long-term strategic competition.

05/18/2026

Eisenhower School hosts RAND Expert on DPA. The Eisenhower School’s Senior Acquisition Course was honored to host Dr. Michael Cecire for a formal presentation with questions and answers. Dr. Cecire is a Policy Researcher with the RAND research organization. Mr. Cecire’s insights, expertise, and currency with the Defense Production Act (DPA) were insightful and provided a venue for a broad and deep discussion of its application.

His insights and perspectives on the many changes occurring within the Department of War, acquisitions, and procurement were welcome and insightful, especially regarding the DPA. The Eisenhower School is lucky to have speakers as talented as Dr. Cecire in strategic acquisitions.