Cybersecurity in 2027 and Beyond: Why Complexity Is the Real Challenge
Listen to this FOCUS: SPA Perspectives post here: 00:00 https://youtu.be/V9NYvd427yg?si=Itzehp_jrtnADnuR At WEST 2026, SPA Cyber Fellow Keegan Mills joined senior Navy and Marine Corps cyber leaders as a panelist for a discussion on “Future Cybersecurity Concepts 2027 and Beyond.” The conversation examined modernization priorities, risk management, and the accelerating pace of technological change. One reality […]
Leadership Fundamentals Series: The Importance of Building Quality into Your Organization
Whether in national defense, advanced technology, or complex systems engineering, embedding quality into the DNA of your organization from the outset leads to safer outcomes, clearer communication, stronger compliance, and more resilient operations. In a recent installment of SPA’s Leadership Fundamentals Series, Dan Elliott, a military operations analyst in the SPA Strategic Division, led a […]
Paws with Purpose: How SPA’s Puppy Fleet Supports Veterans from the Ground Up
Honored as ACG National Capital’s Community Service Project of the Year When SPA Fellow and retired Navy Captain Bill Hoeft walks into the office with a playful Labrador puppy at his heels, he’s not just making coworkers smile—he’s helping shape the future for a veteran or first responder in need. Through SPA’s “Puppy Fleet” initiative, […]
Putting Force Design First – Logically
Noel Williams is SPA’s Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development LtCol Noel Williams, USMC (Ret), SPA’s Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development In a time of accelerating threats and rapid technological shifts, the U.S. military should reconsider how it approaches force design in its modernization process. Force design represents the logical […]
Navigating Change and Nuclear Policy Challenges
Given the long-term implications of nuclear modernization, maintaining strategic continuity through political transitions is essential for national security. Tom Troyano, SPA’s Fellow for Nuclear Modernization, navigated seven Presidential transitions during his 28-year tenure with the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His perspective highlights why bipartisan consensus is indispensable to a credible and resilient nuclear […]
From Overconfidence to Realism: Overcoming Bias in Early Cost Forecasting
In March 2025, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) experts Patrick Malone and Christina Snyder, ICEAA Board President and SPA’s Fellow for Cost Estimation and Analysis, along with clinical psychologist Benjamin Snyder, PhD, presented groundbreaking insights at the IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky, Montana, in their presentation “Evaluating and Minimizing Cost Estimating Bias Early in […]
Shaping the Future of Force Design and Structure in an Era of Rapid Technological Change
In an age where technology evolves at a breakneck pace, military strategies must adapt to maintain relevance and effectiveness. The Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 (FD2030) initiative represents a bold step forward—not just in acquiring cutting-edge technologies but in creating an integrated, systems-oriented approach to warfare. These principles of distributed operations, integrated systems, and technological […]
Fostering the Next Generation of Nuclear Analysts: SPA’s Nuclear Analyst Community of Interest
Ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent requires not only technical expertise and strategic foresight but also a commitment to developing the next generation of nuclear analysts. At Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), this responsibility is embodied in the Nuclear Analyst Community of Interest (COI), founded and led by Tom Troyano, SPA’s […]
Introducing “Focus: SPA Perspectives”
Welcome to “Focus: SPA Perspectives,” our new blog which offers valuable insights, thought-provoking analyses, and expert perspectives on the complex and evolving landscape of national security. In line with our reputation as an objective, responsive, and trusted partner, our blog will cover: Defense Industry Trends: Timely, informed analysis of emerging developments shaping the defense sector, […]
Navigating the Future of Defense: Key Trends Shaping National Security
The national security landscape is shifting rapidly. Advances in technology, evolving geopolitical tensions, and the increasing complexity of modern warfare are challenging long-standing defense strategies. For senior military and government leaders, the challenge is not just keeping pace but staying ahead—anticipating change before it arrives and preparing accordingly. To support that effort, our latest e-book, […]