Applied Aerospace & Defense (“Applied”), a premier provider of advanced manufacturing for mission-critical space and defense applications, announced the appointment of Robert Wingfield as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Robert will lead the company’s digital strategy and oversee the full lifecycle of information systems including cybersecurity, data architectures, enterprise applications, digital manufacturing systems, and AI‑enabled operational analytics. Applied’s information technology ecosystem supports a nationwide infrastructure across 11 manufacturing facilities, six states, and nearly 1,800 skilled professionals.

“There is unprecedented demand to accelerate the scalability of production in the space and defense industry,” said Trip Ferguson, Applied CEO. “Advances in digital manufacturing and artificial intelligence will play a tremendous role in evolving the supply chain, but they will require thoughtful implementation that prioritizes the resiliency and security of operations, as well as the velocity of production.” Ferguson continued, “At Applied, our focus is to bring these technologies onto the factory floor in ways that deliver lasting value for our customers.”

Prior to joining Applied, Robert served in a series of senior leadership roles across the aerospace and defense industry, including as VP of Global Program Management for AV (AeroVironment) and VP of Program Excellence for BlueHalo. In both roles, he was responsible for developing technologies and system architectures that enabled scalability at the enterprise level. His experience includes over a dozen years developing information technology solutions specifically for the defense, space, and national security industries. Robert holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia.

Commenting on Wingfield’s appointment, Trip Ferguson said, “Robert has a proven track record of leading complex technology transformations in rapidly growing aerospace and defense companies. He brings a combination of technical depth, operational discipline, and strategic vision and we are delighted to have him on the Applied executive team.”

About Applied Aerospace & Defense

Applied Aerospace & Defense, Inc. ("Applied") is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex, mission-critical hardware for extreme operating environments across three core markets: Space & Launch Systems, Defense Aviation & Airborne Systems, and Advanced Sensing & Precision Strike Systems. With over 120 years of advanced manufacturing heritage, Applied employs a nationwide infrastructure of 11 purpose-built facilities across six states and more than 1.5 million square feet of production capacity, supported by IP-enabled process expertise for the full lifecycle management of rapid prototyping, large-scale production, and aftermarket sustainment of enduring platforms. Applied Aerospace & Defense is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “AADX.” To learn more visit www.applied-ad.com.

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