NADIC Roadshow
- NADIC Admin
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
For the first time, NADIC and 8 member companies escaped the D.C. bubble for a roadshow of East Coast military locations.
From March 24-31, the Norwegian defense companies met with military customers & end users at their home bases to demonstrate innovative technologies and receive valuable feedback on how to align their solutions with the warfighter's needs.
Tampa, FL
Our journey began in Tampa, home to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). A special thank you to our partner Liberty Alliance for hosting our kickoff at their venue.
We were honored to be welcomed by senior representatives from the U.S. defense industry, including Lisa Sanders, Director at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Science & Technology. and Brigadier General Frode Kristoffersen, commander of Norwegian Special Operations Command (NORSOCOM).
The companies engaged directly with special operators and representatives from the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD).
In the evening Team Norway hosted a roadshow reception at the historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.
Ft. Benning - Columbus, GA
Next up was Fort Benning in Georgia, known as the Home of the Infantry and the cradle of the U.S. Army.
The Norwegian companies demonstrated their products to leaders from the U.S. Army Warrior Training Center, enhancing the readiness and lethality of soldiers preparing for combat.
Ft. Bragg - Southern Pines, NC
The convoy then rolled through the green hills of Southern Pines for its next showcase targeting the Airborne and Special Operations forces of Ft. Bragg.
Thank you to venue hosts Knowmadics for replenishing our group of road-weary Norwegians and military guests with delicious North Carolina BBQ and Southern hospitality.
Virginia Beach / Norfolk Naval Station, VA
Our next defense showcase was held at Virginia Beach / Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world.
Being from a maritime nation, Norway's defense industry has a long history of producing cutting-edge products for allied sailors and special operators.
The 8 Norwegian roadshow participants demonstrated their technologies to representatives from Big Navy and the special operations community. The event also provided an opportunity for American service providers and local economic development groups to network with interested Norwegian companies.
Washington, D.C.
Alas, the roadshow came to a bittersweet but triumphant end in DC. After a week of bonding on long highway drives and in small town America, our convoy of Norwegians pulled into the Norwegian Embassy for the final defense tech showcase.
We heard remarks from Norwegian Embassy DCM Bård Ivar Svendsen, followed by brief company overviews before breaking up into hands-on product demonstrations.
We are grateful to the Norwegian Embassy for hosting a networking reception for the large group of Norwegian and allied defense industry and government attendees.
Reflections
The success of the inaugural NADIC Roadshow is a marker of the enduring strength of the Norwegian-American defense alliance.
At each stop, the Norwegian defense industry held important discussions with soldiers who currently use or might one day rely on their products in combat.
By leaving the D.C. bubble and engaging directly with the U.S. military on its home turf, these conversations become more specific and therefore product quality improves for the warfighter.
The NADIC Roadshow will return and might one day stop at a base near you.
A special thank you to the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway, FFI, NORSOCOM, Liberty Alliance, Knowmadics & partners for supporting our journey and the 8 inaugural roadshow participants:
Axnes | Acapulka | Kongsberg Discovery| Kongsberg Geospatial
NFM US | Squarehead Technology | Teleplan Globe | Watchbird
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