By Dennis Blacksmith The robotics industry is experiencing explosive growth, with applications ranging from autonomous drones and ground vehicles to advanced manufacturing and human-assist systems. Many of these systems are finding their way into defense applications, which means they are increasingly subject to the new DFARS 252.225-7052 and NDAA §842 requirements. Modern robotics systems heavily rely on commercial off-the-shelf components, including high-performance motors

By Dennis Blacksmith The space industry is often viewed as separate from traditional defense programs, but the new DFARS 252.225-7052 and NDAA §842 requirements will have a significant impact on many space companies. Modern satellites, launch vehicles, and ground systems increasingly rely on commercial off-the-shelf components — including electronics, power systems, and actuators that contain critical materials such as neodymium magnets, tantalum capacitors, tungsten, and adv

By Dennis Blacksmith In today’s defense and aerospace environment, compliance with DFARS 252.225-7052, NDAA Section 5949, and trusted parts requirements is essential. But true security goes deeper than paperwork. It depends on the people and organizations behind the processes. When selecting partners for supply chain compliance, attestation, risk assessments, or COTS/end-item integration, organizations must ask a critical question: Do the people I’m trusting with these sensit

By Dennis Blacksmith As the new DFARS 252.225-7052 and NDAA §842 requirements take effect, prime contractors are increasingly flowing these obligations down to their subcontractors and suppliers. This creates a complex web of compliance requirements throughout the supply chain that can be difficult to manage consistently. For primes, overseeing this flow-down process often becomes challenging when each subcontractor responds differently, with varying levels of detail, documen

By Dennis Blacksmith In the defense industry, trust is not just important — it is foundational. When dealing with complex compliance requirements like the new DFARS 252.225-7052 and NDAA §842 rules, companies need partners they can rely on to provide accurate, defensible, and practical solutions. At RavenClear, we believe trust is built through three key elements. First, deep expertise. Our work is grounded in real operational experience from naval aviation and program manage

By Dennis Blacksmith Defense contractors are about to face one of the most significant supply chain compliance shifts in years. The updated DFARS 252.225-7052 and NDAA Section 842 rules will take full effect in 2027, bringing major changes to how companies must trace critical materials. These requirements significantly expand traceability for neodymium-iron-boron and samarium-cobalt magnets, tantalum, tungsten, and advanced batteries — with the focus now extending upstream to