The Missile Surge: Can It Last, and Where Startups Fit
The U.S. is buying missiles and interceptors at a pace not seen in decades. Can it last, and where do new companies fit?
Demand for missiles and interceptors has surged, and the Department of War and industry are racing to expand production. That raises hard questions for investors about how long the demand signal will hold and who stands to benefit. Join Abelian Security Council for a candid fireside chat with retired Lieutenant General Rob Rasch, former Director of the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and former Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space, on how we got here, whether today's procurement increases are sustainable, and where emerging defense technology companies can make a difference.
On the table
How we got here: the demand signals and decisions behind today's missile procurement increases
Can it last: budgets, production capacity, and the industrial base constraints that will decide whether the surge is sustained
Where startups fit: the parts of the missile and munitions enterprise where emerging defense technology companies can make a meaningful difference
The risks: what investors and acquirers should watch for, from program and budget volatility to scaling production
Speaker
Rob Rasch is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and the Founder and President of R3 – Rasch Advisory Group, which advises defense and technology companies. From 2022 to 2025 he served as Director of the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) at Redstone Arsenal, where he led the Army's efforts to rapidly prototype and field critical capabilities, including the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, the Mid-Range Capability, and Army directed energy systems.
Before RCCTO, Rob served as Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space from 2018 to 2022, overseeing one of the Army's largest acquisition portfolios, spanning air and missile defense, counter-UAS, precision fires, and foreign military sales to allies and partners. He was earlier Deputy PEO for Missiles and Space, Military Deputy to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and Project Manager for the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense program.
Over a 36-year Army career that began as an infantry officer, he served in Desert Storm and the global war on terrorism and is Ranger qualified. He holds a BBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia, an MS in Computer Science from Northwestern University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Moderator: Owen Davies, CEO of the ASC
Submit questions for Rob when you register and no later than Tuesday, November 17. We'll do our best to make sure submitted questions are answered, but we can't guarantee every question will be covered.
Good to know
Admission is subject to pre-qualification criteria.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
A recording and transcript will not be available after the event.
Attendees remain anonymous, and the session is held under the Chatham House rule.
This discussion will not include material non-public information (MNPI).
Speakers participate in their capacity as private citizens. None of the views expressed are endorsed by political organizations, government, military, or current and prior employers. Events are for informational purposes only. Nothing discussed is investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation.