Defense Strategies Institute’s 2026 Joint Fires Summit will bring together members of the Department of War, Combatant Commands, acquisition authorities, industry, and academia to advance the development and delivery of next-generation surface-to-surface precision fires.  Because the United States has a keen interest in increasing the range, effects, and lethality of its fires capabilities to achieve overmatch against adversaries, the 5th Annual Joint Fires Summit will focus on the need to continually develop and modernize its fires capabilities to deter and defeat adversarial threats.

The Warfare Symposium is a premier professional development event for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and the aerospace and defense industry that supports them, with a focus on the critical concerns and challenges of joint warfare in every corner of the globe. Drawing speakers from USAF, USSF, combatant commands, industry, and the joint force, the symposium provides opportunities to network and explore dynamic exhibits.

The Loitering Munition Systems Summit will convene leading experts, policymakers, acquisition authorities, and innovators to explore the latest advancements and applications in loitering munitions systems and technologies in support of the Warfighter. Discussions at the event will provide valuable insights into the evolving role that drone specific munitions will play in future warfare.

1. Invitation and Strategic Vision

The Army's Capability Portfolio Executive (CPE) Aviation, in collaboration with the Product Manager for Endurance Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (EUAS), invites industry partners to the upcoming Group 4+ Short/Vertical Takeoff and Landing (S/VTOL) Summit. As the Army accelerates its transformation to address evolving battlefield dynamics, this pivotal event will take place from 10-12 March 2026 at the Stovehouse, 3414 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805.

This Summit introduces the Group 4+ S/VTOL, a transformative effort to modernize the Army's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) capabilities in support of Multi-Domain Operations. The initiative is designed to foster early and deliberate collaboration with dedicated industry partners to shape future acquisition, development, and procurement strategies. The goal is to field modular, runway-independent weapon systems that reduce logistics footprints, enhance operational flexibility, and provide a decisive advantage to the warfighter.

2. Summit Objectives

The primary objectives of the Summit are to:

• Solicit Industry Participation: Gauge interest in the Group 4+ S/VTOL UAS and gather information on vendor capabilities across various UAS technology domains.

• Expand Collaboration: Engage with a diverse set of traditional and non-traditional industry partners to explore innovative solutions.

• Inform Acquisition Strategy: Ensure transparency by informing industry on future acquisition strategies, requirements development, and potential solicitations.

3. Areas of Interest

The Army is interested in industry expertise across the following areas:

Category

Areas of Focus

Air Vehicles

S/VTOL design, takeoff/landing performance, FARP compatibility, payload/cargo capacity, speed, combat and self-deployment range, endurance, and onboard power/computing

UAS Sensors & Payloads

EO/IR, SAR, Air-to-Air/Air-to-Ground MTI, LiDAR, atmospheric sensing, and RADAR for advanced ISR missions

Autonomy

Autonomous operations, collision avoidance, Common Operational Picture (COP) integration, sensor/computing dependency, and interoperability protocols

On-board Mission Software

Control of C2/survivability systems, sensor/weapon systems, mission control, standardized messaging, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

4. Registration and Logistics

Attendance is limited to six technical and/or programmatic representatives per company. To attend, interested parties must request a visit request form from the UAS Security Office via the following address:

usarmy.redstone.peo-avn.mbx.uas-pm-security@army.mil

Once your visit request is received, processed, and approved, you will receive confirmation which will allow you to register for the Summit.

Key Dates

Window

VAR Submission Window

02 February – 13 February 2026

Event Registration Window

02 February – 20 February 2026

Group 4+ S/VTOL Summit

10 March – 12 March 2026

Understanding the Latest in C-UAS Innovations and Technologies for Military, Government, Civil & Commercial Sectors

Rogue drone incursions are no longer rare – they’re routine. From airport shutdowns to rising fears of espionage and sabotage, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are reshaping the threat landscape across commercial, civilian, and military sectors. Staying ahead demands more than awareness – it requires decisive action.

Now in its fourth year, the Counter-UAS Technology Congress is coming to the West Coast at a pivotal moment. This highly interactive summit offers a trusted, closed-door forum for real-time intelligence sharing and strategic collaboration across the global counter-UAS community.

Held under Chatham House Rule, the event ensures candid dialogue with no media or press in attendance. All participants are strictly vetted; certain citizens are not admitted to the conference.

Get ready for the ultimate drone experience! Indiana is famous for basketball, but this year, the spotlight is in the air. The ADC Signature Event March Madness: Hoosier Edition is the only Signature Event for this mission, and is open to teams from all regions across the Globe. This isn’t just a competition—it’s a celebration of the four core ADC missions: Teamwork, Piloting, Autonomous, and Communication. Students will test their skills, showcase creativity, and demonstrate collaboration and problem-solving on a stage as thrilling as March Madness itself.

The AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition is the Association of the U.S. Army's premier three-day event dedicated to advancing the Total Army's modernization through synergistic collaboration between military, industry, and academia. Anchored in the Army's Modernization Strategy, Global Force is a vital forum for exploring how the Army evolves to remain Agile, Adaptive, and Lethal in an era of multi-domain challenges.

Focus and Mission

The 2026 Global Force will spotlight the Army's ongoing Transformation in Contact initiative—an approach that emphasizes iterative, outcomes-focused modernization in realistic operational conditions.

Attendees will explore how the Army is achieving this transformation through:

• Acquisition Innovation: Leaner, faster contracting, and adoption of plug-and-play technologies via Modular Open Systems approaches.

• Operational Experimentation: Rapid field testing and Soldier feedback loops to inform real-time capability development.

• Cross-Domain Collaboration: Building synergy among Army Materiel Command, T2COM, and other key stakeholders.

The 14th Annual Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Summit brings together key experts, decision-makers, and innovators from the DoW, Military Services, Industry, and Academia for in-depth discussions on advancements and innovations in unmanned and autonomous technologies essential for the future of military defense and mission success in all combat environments. With recent acceleration in autonomous capability development, including new breakthroughs in AI-enabled mission autonomy, advanced loitering munitions, and next-generation drone swarms, this year’s Summit reflects the rapidly shifting landscape shaping the future force.

Powered by the Navy League of the United States, Sea-Air-Space is the premier maritime exposition in the U.S., bringing together defense industry leaders and top military decision-makers from around the world to share the latest advancements in the maritime domain. With industry leading speakers and events featured across three impactful days, Sea-Air-Space is a must-attend for anyone invested in the future of U.S. maritime strength and innovation.

SAE Media Group is proud to announce the 5th annual Military Robotics and Autonomous Systems USA conference on the 8-9 July 2026.

100+ Attendees | 2 Day Conference | 20+ Speakers | Dedicated Networking Opportunities

Don't miss out on the premier US event uniting ground robotics experts! Join us for an unparalleled opportunity to network and collaborate with dynamic international militaries, offering unique perspectives on the latest advancements in robotic capabilities.

With the US DoW investing heavily in land robotics to enhance warfighter lethality and safety, this event is essential for staying ahead of the curve.

The SMD Symposium is the leading educational, professional development and networking event in the space and missile defense community. The symposium is widely attended by leaders and professionals from the United States and our allies around the world.

The NDIA Michigan Chapter presents the 17th Annual Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) & Modernization Update! GVSETS provides the opportunity for the Ground Systems community to network and share technical research and innovations while discussing capability gaps and modernization needs. With global threats becoming more aggressive and complex, our nation must implement solutions to ensure our Warfighters have the right tools and solutions for current and future conflicts.

To start, scientists and engineers from government, academia and industry are invited to submit papers for the GVSETS Technical Sessions. The Technical Sessions are executed in conjunction with the Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD), with paper publication support delivered by SAE Government Technologies.

Our flagship annual gathering to bring together Government, Industry, and Academia to talk about Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and Robotics, Advanced Technologies and Digital Engineering, Counter UAS, and Airspace.

UTAC is a fully immersive drone- and robotics-focused training event where public safety, government, and defense operators from around the world gather to learn best practices, establish procedures, and gain experience with the latest innovations in drone and robotics technology, and other uncrewed aerial, ground, and maritime systems, alongside augmenting technology and tactical solutions.

Through thoughtfully developed, carefully curated hands-on daytime and nighttime training scenarios, technology workshops, live demonstrations, and expert-led presentations, UTAC 2026 is an internationally-recognized, hyper-realistic training event unlike any other in the industry.

Commercial UAV Expo is the definitive event for professionals integrating or operating commercial UAS. With top-notch education, thousands of attendees, and more exhibitors than any other commercial drone event, it’s the best opportunity of the year for anyone who needs to keep up with commercial UAS technology, trends, and developments.

Secure your place at the 5th annual Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA Conference, taking place in Arlington, VA, from September 14 to 16, 2026.

As North America's leading conference for the unmanned maritime systems community, this is your opportunity to help lead the way on integrating unmanned assets into the US Navy. Attendees include senior US Naval leadership, fleet representatives, operators & the acquisition community.

Key topics to be discussed include:

• Unmanned Surface Vessels

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

• AI & Autonomy

• System Testing & Integration

• Acquisition Timelines

• Industry & Military Collaboration

Don't miss out – this is only your chance to attend an event with exclusive unmanned maritime focus and a vital opportunity to cut through the noise and ensure acquisitions align with growing operational imperatives.

To provide a comprehensive technical review of modern adversary surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and air defense directed energy weapons (DEW) including capabilities, concepts of operation, electronic protection features, recent developments, and near-term projections. Attendance at this event is appropriate for those involved in the design, development, testing, evaluation and employment of electronic warfare systems, techniques, and tactics for protection of US and allied fixed and rotary wing aircraft and weapon systems against air defense threats.

The Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting is the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America. Taking place over three days, the Annual Meeting is designed to deliver the Army's message by highlighting the capabilities of organizations and presenting a wide range of industry products and services. AUSA accomplishes this task throughout the entire event by providing informative and relevant presentations on the State-of-the-Army, panel discussions and seminars on pertinent military and national security subjects, and a variety of valuable networking events available to all that attend.

The AUSA Annual Meeting, is designed to deliver the Army's message by highlighting the capabilities of Army organizations and presenting a wide range of industry products and services. In addition to the expansive show floor filled with 700+ exhibitors, attendees have access to:

• Informative and relevant presentations on the state of the Army

• Panel discussions and seminars on pertinent military and national security subjects

• A variety of valuable networking events including ticketed dinners and receptions

• A hands-on opportunity to specify and see the latest technology in action

AUSA's Annual Meeting includes the total Army — Regular Army, Guard, Reserve, civilians, and family members. It is one of the three key communication platforms employed by the Army to educate and inform government, academic, civic, and veteran advocates and leadership on Army priorities and issues impacting today's Army.

The Forum attracts aviation trainers, operators, logisticians, project managers, capability managers, research and development and key decision makers, including the entire Army Aviation Branch Leadership (AVCOSC). A new format and focus provides a forum for open discussions on the way forward in the Army Constant Transformation initiative. There will be opportunities for one-on-one briefings with PEO Aviation project managers, Army Transformation & Training Command Aviation Transformation and Integration directors (TIDs), OEMs, and other industry leaders in separate, individual meeting rooms onsite.

SAE Media Group is delighted to announce the 6th annual Counter UAS Technology USA Conference, taking place in Washington, D.C. on December 1-3, 2026.

Building from the sell-out 2025 edition, Counter UAS Technology USA 2026 will return in a bigger platform than ever before, to bring together key military and government C-UAS program managers, policy makers, research and development experts, along with industry partners, to forge valuable discussions on how to strengthen US protection against the threat of UAS.

With the recent establishment of JATF 401, it is clear that strengthening C-UAS capabilities is essential to safeguard personnel, assets, and critical infrastructure. JATF 401 represents a decisive step in addressing the growing threat posed by illegal and hostile drones, ensuring the DoW and Military forces remain equipped to detect, deter, and neutralize these emerging threats.

Counter UAS Technology USA 2026 provides the ideal platform to tackle this critical issue, fostering focused discussions on C-sUAS priorities, challenges, and solutions while enabling collaboration and networking to strengthen strategies against the growing sUAS threat facing the US military, government, and allies.

Our flagship annual gathering to bring together Government, Industry, and Academia to talk about Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and Robotics, Advanced Technologies and Digital Engineering, Counter UAS, and Airspace.