David A. Haupt

David A. Haupt is the Chief Executive Officer of ForgePoint Dynamics (FPD), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) established to strengthen the U.S. Defense Industrial Base through advanced, Berry Amendment-compliant manufacturing of precision-forged and machined defense components. He is leading the development of a next-generation manufacturing enterprise focused on expanding domestic munitions production capacity, improving supply chain resilience, and supporting the U.S. Department of War and major defense prime contractors with critical national security manufacturing capabilities.

In addition to his leadership of ForgePoint Dynamics, Mr. Haupt serves as a Flight Test Engineer with Canvas, Inc., supporting the 417th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. He conducts developmental flight testing on the C-130J family of aircraft and is responsible for test planning, flight safety, systems evaluation, data analysis, and risk mitigation.

Colonel Haupt retired from the United States Air Force after a distinguished 26-year career and brings more than 35 years of combined military and civilian leadership experience in aerospace, defense, flight test, acquisition, and special operations aviation. Throughout his career, he has led complex organizations and directed high-risk developmental and operational test programs while serving in senior leadership positions at the squadron, Major Command, Joint Staff, and Pentagon levels.

As Commander of the 18th Flight Test Squadron, he led operational test and evaluation for Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft, directly supporting modernization and combat capability development. He also served in senior assignments within Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, and Headquarters U.S. Air Force, overseeing classified Special Access Programs, command and control capability development, electronic warfare testing, and defense acquisition.

A Master Navigator with more than 3,800 flight hours, including 274 combat hours, Colonel Haupt served as an Instructor/Evaluator Fire Control Officer aboard the AC-130H/U gunship and as an Instructor/Evaluator Navigator on the B-52G. He deployed in support of operations in Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan, holding key leadership positions including Deputy Commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component and Director of the Joint Forces Command Forward Support Element at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Colonel Haupt holds master’s degrees in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, Military Operational Arts and Science, and Business Administration, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is DAWIA Level III certified in Test and Evaluation and Level I certified in Program Management.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and six Aerial Achievement Medals.

Colonel Haupt combines proven military leadership, engineering expertise, and executive vision to advance ForgePoint Dynamics’ mission of strengthening America’s defense industrial base and delivering innovative manufacturing capabilities that enhance U.S. national security.