MITRE, 47G and the Minerals Behind Future Warfare

On October 28–29, 47G’s Zero Gravity Summit will bring defense contractors, technology companies and government officials to the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The gathering offers a look at capabilities that could shape the next generation of warfare. [1]

The agenda includes Lockheed Martin, Fortem Technologies, L3Harris and Varda, with discussions covering counter-drone systems, ICBM modernization, missile defense and contested space operations. Advanced materials, manufacturing, AI and quantum technologies also have a place in the program. [2]

47G’s effort deserves the resources community’s attention and participation. Bringing technology developers, researchers and industrial partners together creates an opportunity to connect ambitious designs with the physical capabilities needed to deliver them. SilverWars supports that work and encourages our audience to help make resource supply part of the process from inception.

Technology to see in action

The summit anchors Hard Tech Week, October 26–30, with live demos, facility showcases and industry events across Utah. The program offers several opportunities to see the technology and the work behind it. Summit times below are Mountain Time. [8]

Fortem Technologies will run a live counter-drone demonstration on October 28 at 4:30 p.m., outdoors directly west of the summit venue. Its TrueView radar and DroneHunter autonomous interceptor will demonstrate detecting, tracking and capturing a target drone in flight, with Utah Department of Transportation’s command vehicle supporting radar cueing. [2][9]

Silkline’s demo is scheduled for October 28, 1–1:10 p.m., with CEO Isaac Chambers and Varda’s Delian Asparouhov. [2] Silkline describes its platform as connecting hardware procurement with engineering requirements, supplier quotes, orders and material delivery tracking—a relevant part of the build process for companies working to get qualified parts onto a production line. [10]

Hexcel’s October 29 demo is scheduled for 10:15–10:20 a.m., immediately after the advanced-materials panel. [2]

Beyond the summit, Merit3D’s Hard Tech Week facility tour in Price offers a look at production 3D printing, finishing and inspection. The host plans to show SLS and SLA printing and discuss automation, including robotic post-processing, material choices and design for additive manufacturing. The listing offers Tuesday and Friday tours. For resource and materials companies, the tour offers a way to discuss material inputs alongside production and qualification. [11]

47G is building a useful connection

These demonstrations sit within a broader materials and manufacturing program. The summit’s October 29 advanced-materials panel brings together Hexcel, DARPA and University of Utah researchers. [2]

47G has also organized Critical Ventures, a separate event focused on national-security materials. Its program brought together the Utah Mining Association, the Critical Minerals Institute, mineral-processing expertise and presentations by mineral companies. That is a practical foundation for connecting the resources industry with the technologies it will help support. [5]

The resources community can help build on that foundation. Producers and processors can explain what industry can deliver, where additional capacity is needed and how material choices affect production. Sharing that knowledge while systems are being designed gives engineers and suppliers more room to solve problems together.

MITRE connects the conversation to future planning

MITRE adds another reason to pay attention. Kerry Buckley and Josh LeFevre are scheduled to moderate discussions on aviation and contested space operations, respectively. Neither discussion is billed as a Project Meridian session. [2]

On October 2, MITRE announced that the Department of War had commissioned it to lead Meridian, an assessment of future warfare technologies and operational concepts. MITRE says it will draw on business, policy and technology expertise while retaining responsibility for the analysis and recommendations. [3][4]

Resource expertise can strengthen that assessment by helping connect proposed capabilities with realistic production and sustainment plans. Mineral producers, refiners and materials engineers can contribute evidence about availability, processing requirements and the time needed to qualify a new supply source.

Zero Gravity Summit | October 28-29, 2026

Join Zero Gravity, the 47G Summit, in Salt Lake City to explore advancements in defense technology, space systems, and emerging frontier tech shaping national security.

Zero Gravity Summit

Plan for building and maintaining the system

The materials connection is tangible. The final 2025 U.S. critical-minerals list added silver and copper. USGS identifies silver’s uses in electrical circuits, batteries and solar cells, and copper’s widespread use in wiring and cables. [6]

Involving resource producers and materials experts from inception means discussing the required material, its purity and form, and the quantities needed over time while design choices are still open. Engineers and suppliers can then assess availability, alternatives and qualification requirements together.

That conversation needs to cover the steps between a mineral deposit and an approved component. Mining, refining and component manufacturing contribute different capabilities. A useful supply plan identifies which stages are operating, which need investment or development, and when qualified output can reach the production line.

Maintenance belongs in the initial plan as well. Service life, repair and replacement rates affect future material demand. Where recycling or recovery is proposed, planners need a demonstrated process and usable output. Our earlier examination of Project Meridian made the case for including that material accounting when comparing military space systems. [7]

This shared planning helps both sides. Designers gain a clearer view of what can be delivered and sustained. Producers gain a better understanding of the specifications, volumes and qualification work needed to serve those systems.

Bring resource expertise into the process

SilverWars encourages readers across mining, processing, refining, recycling and materials engineering to get involved. Review the summit agenda, identify where your capabilities fit and speak with 47G about useful connections. Bring a clear account of what you can contribute, including the product form, available capacity and steps needed for qualification.

MITRE’s Meridian website also welcomes relevant input, offering another route for resource expertise to inform future planning. Do not submit sensitive information, controlled unclassified information or proprietary material through its public form. [4]

47G is doing the work of bringing people together. Our audience can help turn those connections into systems that can be produced, supported and maintained by making resources part of the conversation from the first concept onward.

Nothing works unless it can be built and maintained.

Sources

[1] Zero Gravity Summit event details

[2] Zero Gravity Summit official agenda

[3] MITRE Project Meridian announcement October 2 2026

[4] MITRE Project Meridian scope and public input

[5] 47G Critical Ventures official event program

[6] USGS final 2025 List of Critical Minerals

[7] SilverWars Project Meridian Who Profits From the Future of War

[8] 47G Hard Tech Week program and dates

[9] Fortem live counter-UAS demonstration official event listing

[10] Silkline hardware procurement and supplier platform

[11] Merit3D Hard Tech Week facility tour official listing