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The GDLS M10 Booker is designed with larger-caliber main gun growth capability to provide protected firepower to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams

AUSA 2023 REPORT

The Association of the United States Army – AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition 2023 is a wrap and many attendees are saying it was the best one ever. The three full days of military briefings and industry showcases had record setting attendance of more than 33-thousand and 700 exhibitors.

Bruce Barron, President/CEO of Barron Industries said the event held in Washington D.C. last week definitely lived up to its billing as the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America.

“We were able to meet with many of our largest tier one customers all in one place, General Dynamics, Oshkosh Defense, AM General LLC, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Inc. and others,” he said. “This venue provides an amazing concentrated opportunity to engage with upper management of all of our major customers within a couple of days, while also being able to see the latest and greatest advances in technology for for land-based military vehicles.”

Barron manufactures investment castings, machined components and complete assemblies for many of the armored vehicles on display at the annual land power exposition including the BAE Systems Armored Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), as well as The General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Stryker QB and M10 Booker Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) Combat Vehicle.

“There is a great need for what Barron does in the Defense and Aerospace industries – precision castings that are machined, plated, painted coated, assembled, and provided complete,” said Barron. “There just is not the capacity to meet the demand currently with manufacturers that have the level of vertical integration that Barron has put in place over the last 35 years.”

The GDLS Stryker QB technology demonstrator is designed to be the quarterback of the Army 2030. Its capabilities include silent movement, silent watch and exportable electric power via a hybrid diesel-electric power pack to enhance vehicle survivability and mobility.
BAE Systems displayed the AMPV Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) prototype, built on the same proven chassis as the existing variants in the family of vehicles. The prototype features the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) interchangeable top plate, which enhances the proven AMPV hull structure and provides flexibility to quickly integrate other mission equipment.

Barron also met with with business development representatives from Michigan’s Oakland and Macomb counties. Barron is a speaker at the 2023 Defense & Advanced Manufacturing Conference presented by Oakland County, Michigan Government.

“Southeast Michigan’s defense corridor was well represented,” he said. Many prime defense companies, such as General Dynamics, BAE, Rheinmettal and AM General, have their headquarters or major offices located in southeast Michigan where there is a robust supply base to meet the advanced technology needs of today’s army.”

Barron Industries President/CEO Bruce Barron (right) with Senior Oakland County Business Development Representatives Linnette Phillips and Ray Putz at AUSA 2023.


AUSA 2023 also featured professional presentations, panel discussions, workshops and seminars covering significant pertinent military and national security themes and objectives. Senior leaders from the army, DOD and congress addressed topics regarding current and future states of the army.

During an event luncheon, the army’s new Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George outlined his priorities which include simplifying the way the army trains and builds teams while continuously transforming the force. The army’s top uniformed leader said the nation’s largest military branch must find ways to continually transform, including developing methods to better access and process data while enabling machine learning and autonomy.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George gives his remarks at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Laura Buchta)