Aerospace and Defense (A&D) is coming up more often in search conversations, but the opportunity set is much broader than companies with “aerospace” or “defense” in the name. This is an area of focus for us, and we are keen to engage with other searchers, operators, investors, advisers, suppliers and those exploring the field to compare notes across the A&D capability chain: • platforms, propulsion, avionics, sensors, communications and mission systems • design, engineering, R&D, simulation, technical data and program support • materials, components and manufacturing—including machining, fabrication, castings and forgings, composites, additive manufacturing, electronics, wire harnesses, tooling and industrial automation • special processes, test and quality—including heat treatment, coatings, plating, welding, brazing, NDT, metrology, calibration, inspection and certification • embedded and secure software, cyber, data, digital engineering and other enabling technologies • sustainment and services—including MRO, spares, depot and field service, logistics, distribution, facilities, compliance, training, staffing and workforce development If your capability sits elsewhere, please add it. The goal is to understand the whole chain and what may be missing. One useful next step may be a small working session to compare where people are focused, what they are finding difficult, and where useful connections could be made. This would be a working conversation, not a pitch.If this is relevant to you, comment or message me with: • how you are engaged today: operating, actively searching or investing, advising or supplying, preparing to enter, or learning • the capability and geography you are focused on • what you can help with • the decision, bottleneck or connection that would be most useful If a real cluster emerges, the mix of responses can determine whether the right next step is a briefing, a working session or focused introductions. Non-sensitive themes will be shared back with the group.