On this month’s innovation conversation to highlight key topics in the countdown to the Apex technology and innovation conference this April in Washington, sponsored by Clarion Defence, Chris Servello, the cohost of the Cavas Ships podcast and Defense & Aerospace Report’s editorial strategist, joins editor Vago Muradian to discuss the Apex conference’s program; and Doug Jankovich, the executive vice president at QinetiQ who leads the company’s AUKUS efforts, discusses the role the British-American firm plans in the Australia-UK-UK partnership; updates progress on the two major focus areas of the initiative, Pillar I to furnish Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines and Pillar 2 that spans technological cooperation across cyber, AI, hypersonics, quantum computing; the key to moving fast to deliver capability including more easily moving key personnel among partner nations; the role of off-the-shelf and bespoke technologies; and the case for AUKUS as the Trump administration considers the future of the partnership.