Protecting IP is more important than ever, and Douglas Klutzke of Boom Supersonic will share surprising, uncommonly discussed facts and strategies at the upcoming 2024 COExperience. We spoke with him about how attendees can best prepare for his session, as well as what is exciting him about the industry right now.
Why did you choose to present on this topic at this year’s COE Exchange?
Douglas Klutzke (DK): There is an underlying misunderstanding and somewhat a misrepresentation on the security of data export from through .stp and .igs files. As a result, companies are opening themselves up to exposing more intellectual property than they realize when collaborating with suppliers and third parties. With the continued globalization of industry collaboration, it is more important than ever to protect company IP and potentially government trade secrets from being unwillingly exported outside of the designer’s intent.
What are key takeaways from your session you are most excited to share with attendees?
DK: 1) Increase awareness of the level of data that is being shared with or without the user's knowledge during the export process from one company to the next, and 2) show potential options to protect that data for the user and associated company.
How do you recommend attendees make the most of the insights you’ll share at your session?
DK: Awareness is the key on data protection; it is everyone's job to protect the profitability of a company as well as the safety of trade secrets. As long as one is aware, they can take the appropriate steps to apply the right level of protection at the right time.
What is a frequent question or misunderstanding you hear about protecting IP?
DK: As I will show in the presentation, the engineers are doing their best to protect company IP, but without knowing the pitfalls between the .igs and .stp surface definition they are mistaken in their belief on the level of protection they are truly offering their company.
What is an emerging trend exciting you in your industry right now?
DK: Being on the cutting edge of supersonic development is obviously what drives my motivation each day. In conjunction with that, it is the enablers that are helping to make supersonic transport a reality that excite me. We can't do things the same as in the past and expect different results; it is those thinking outside the box and collaboration within the industry that will bring overall success on the transportation speeds that have taken a step back for the last 20 years.
Learn about this cutting-edge topic at the COExperience! This event will bring experts together to reconnect and access transformative education that will help them build skills, increase efficiencies and gain knowledge from May 13-16 in Dallas, Texas. REGISTER TODAY.
Douglas Klutzke has 18 years of experience in the aerospace industry including powerplant integration at Cessna Aircraft Company, systems integration at L3 Communications and systems integration/configuration management at Gulfstream Aerospace Company. Additionally, he is current president-elect serving on the COE Board of Directors.
Douglas Klutzke has been involved in special mission aircraft development and integration programs for NASA, NOAA, Air Force, Navy and foreign allies. He has supported development programs including Citation XLS+, Citation Columbus (canceled), Gulfstream G400, G500, G600, G650, G700 and G800 and the X-54 low boom demonstrator aircraft along with multiple patent applications. He is currently involved in the development of the Boom Overture aircraft, the first commercial supersonic airliner since the Concorde retired over 20 years ago. He manages the aircraft configuration, oversees relevant trades to the aircraft and assists with system and engine development of the aircraft.