4th Annual Hypersonic Weapons & Emerging Technologies Summit - WEB
4TH ANNUAL
April 1 – 2, 2025 | Embassy Suites by Hilton, Huntsville, AL
Expanding the Battlespace Against Adversarial Hypersonic Threats
Joint Innovation & Experimentation Division U.S. Navy, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM J81)
This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the leading minds in hypersonic research! I loved the panels and discussions on current challenges and progress, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and questions from the group during the Warfighter Integration panel. I look forward to attending this conference again next year!
China unveiled its new concept for an unpowered hypersonic boost-glide weapon, conceived by the Guangdong Aerodynamic Research Academy at the Zhuhai Airshow.
The battlespace is changing. America’s adversaries are producing increasingly sophisticated systems, i.e., fifth-generation aircraft, advanced air defense systems, and hypersonic missiles, forcing American forces to adapt to enhanced threats.
– Harrison Kass, 19FortyFive
North Korea says it tested hypersonic intermediate range missile aimed at remote Pacific targets. – AP World News
Welcome from the Summit Co-Chairs
As Summit chairmen, it is with great pleasure that we welcome you to attend the American Conference Institute’s Fourth Annual Summit on Hypersonic Weapons & Emerging Technologies Summit, April 1 and 2 in Huntsville, Alabama
This must-attend event will highlight the latest in global advancements in the development and testing of hypersonic weapons and technologies. Please take advantage of this incredible opportunity to participate with key subject-matter experts from the Defense Department, government, academia and industry via interactive panel discussions and keynote sessions.
Near-peer enemy global-strike capabilities have formed as Russia, North Korea, and China have aggressively developed and fielded hypersonic weapons. The Defense Department’s Fiscal 2024 budget request for hypersonic research includes a record investment of $145 billion, specifically, $11 billion to deliver a mix of highly lethal precision weapons.
As Congress reviews plans for hypersonic weapons programs, questions continue about the rationale behind them, including expected costs and implications for strategic stability and arms control. The April summit will address emerging issues such as which missions will use them, their cost-effectiveness, and how the newest breakthroughs in testing and the fielding affects geopolitical stability and creates new opportunities for industry.
American Conference Institute will provide an outstanding and engaging two-day forum to comprehensively analyze and further the dialogue on the global proliferation of hypersonic weapons. Attendees also will enjoy ample networking, including an evening welcome reception, luncheons, networking breaks, and discussions with leaders from the private sector.
We look forward to seeing you in Huntsville in April!
Dr. Mark Lewis President & CEO Purdue Applied Research Institute
Steve Dunn Senior Fellow Chief Scientist, Intermediate Range
Conventional Strike Weapons Hypersonic Systems
Lockheed Martin Space
– The War Zone
Invaluable Networking with Innovative Content. New Discussions for 2025 Include:
CHEVRON-RIGHT A future look at DoD/Gov hypersonic weapons capabilities and new opportunities for Industry
CHEVRON-RIGHT Hear the Special OSD Keynote by Dr. James Weber covering DoD Hypersonics Strategy – Programs Goals, Focus Areas, and Priorities, Weapon Acquisition Programs & Critical Enablers
CHEVRON-RIGHT The latest findings in space & ground-based hypersonic tracking and sensor technologies
CHEVRON-RIGHT Space-based Solutions: Overcoming Challenges Posed by the Speed, Maneuverability and Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor Developments
CHEVRON-RIGHT Join decision-makers from DoD/Gov, Industry & Academia
Become a Sponsor
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Don’t miss the opportunity to maximize business development and networking. For more information please contact Lanny Morris at: L.Morris@AmericanConference.com
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
• Inclusion on Event Advisory Board
• Roundtable Discussions
• Plenary Sessions
• Workshop Leader
• Fireside Chat
MARKETING AND BRANDING
• Luncheon & Evening Reception Sponsor
• Food & Beverage Stands
• Logo & Company Description on Website
• Logo Inclusion on All Marketing Campaigns & Event Signage
• Marketing Opportunities to Invite Your Prospects to Attend
NETWORKING
• Exhibit Spaces
• Evening Reception
• Demonstrations
Distinguished Faculty
CHAIRMEN
Dr. Mark Lewis President & CEO Purdue Applied Research Institute
Steve Dunn Senior Fellow, Chief Scientist, Intermediate Range, Conventional Strike Weapons Hypersonic Systems Lockheed Martin Space
MILITARY & GOVERNMENT
Dr. James Weber Principal Director for Hypersonics Office of the Assistant Secretary for Critical Technologies Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E))
Mark Glenn Director Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO)
Dr. Gillian Bussey
Deputy Chief Science Officer U.S. Space Force
Rear Admiral
Michael S. Richman, USN Deputy Director, Hypersonics Navy Strategic Systems Programs
Lieutenant General
Robert A. Rasch, Jr., USA Director Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO)
Lt Col Jared Thompson, USAF Chief, Advanced Kinetic Capabilities Branch USSTRATCOM J875
Dr. Charles Camarda Hypersonic Researcher and Innovator & Author
Former NASA Astronaut & Sr. Advisor for Innovation Office of Chief Engineer Johnson Space Center
Jon Ludwigson Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Christoph Mr. Müller Chair
Applied Vehicle Technology Panel Collaboration Support Office NATO Science & Technology Organization
Dennis Helmich Director, Integrated Systems Sandia National Laboratories
Dr. Michael Brown
Principal Scientist
High Speed Systems Division AFRL Aerospace Systems
INDUSTRY & ACADEMIA
Lieutenant General (USA-ret)
Neil Thurgood
Senior Vice President Air and Ground Deterrence Division Anduril
Dave McFarland Director Missile Defense Solutions Northrop Grumman
Muk Pandian
Director, Strategic Partnerships and Advanced Concepts Varda Space Industries
Marty Hunt Vice President
Hypersonics Systems Leidos Dynetics
Nate Szyba
Hypersonic Program Director Raytheon Missiles and Defense
The conference was exceptional beneficial to me because of the many subject matter experts and thought leaders in hypersonic technology speaking and participating on the panels. The keynote speakers were thought provoking and informative.
Agenda Day 1
•
• New capabilities and weapons systems to
• Providing a highly responsive, long-range, conventional
• Expanding deterrence and escalation control options across the warfighting continuum
3:45
• DOD has emphasized tools aimed at rapid development of offensive hypersonic weapons
• The hypersonic efforts we examined were not fully implementing leading practices for product development identified by GAO
• DOD identified its limited experience with hypersonic weapons as a risk in accurately estimating costs
• DOD is not fully implementing enterprise risk management for hypersonic weapons development
• The conflict in Ukraine has made clear that the rate of change in the conduct of war is accelerating, and technology is becoming a more decisive advantage than ever
• The DoD budgeting cycle and acquisition process are not well suited for the pace of innovation required in modern conflicts
• A new approach is needed that transcends the traditional boundaries of budget accounts, acquisition processes, and organizational responsibilities
Agenda Day 2
8:15 Day 2 Opening Remarks & Introductions by Co-Chairmen
Dr. Mark Lewis President & CEO Purdue Applied Research Institute
Steve Dunn Senior Fellow, Chief Scientist Intermediate Range Conventional Strike Weapons Hypersonic Systems
Lockheed Martin Space
8:30 Army Keynote: Army RCCTO Hypersonic LRHW and Mid-Range Development
Lieutenant General
Robert A. Rasch, Jr., USA Director
Army
9:00 NATO Keynote: Advancements in NATO R&D in Hypersonic Missiles for Defense and Strike Capabilities
• Advancements in NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense
• Investments and Budgeting
• C2 Needs and Requirements
• NATO Interceptors Advancements
Christoph Mr.
Chair Applied Vehicle Technology Panel Collaboration Support Office NATO Science & Technology Organization
9:30 Panel: Advancements in Hypersonic Glide Vehicles Design Technologies
• We have a poor understand the environments in high hypersonic environments. And we cannot recreate the extreme coupled conditions on the ground above Mach 10
• Next generation technologies need to do more than just fly, they may need to communicate, be able to perform new maneuvers and trajectories, and look through plasma
• Leveraging commercial technologies, in particular commercial space, for defense applications in Hypersonics is important to develop new technologies against advanced existing and emerging threats
10:30 Networking Break
11:00 Panel: Affordable Capabilities, Innovation, and Industry Opportunities
• Low-cost substructures
• Alternative TPS materials
• Design for Manufacturability
• Adoption of advanced manufacturing
• Application of Digital Engineering
• Addressing costs of avionics/electronics
Dave McFarland Director, Missile Defense Solutions Northrop Grumman
Muk Pandian Director, Strategic Partnerships and Advanced Concepts Varda Space Industries
Dennis Helmich Director, Integrated Systems Sandia National Laboratories
Marty Hunt Vice President Hypersonics Systems Leidos Dynetics
Nate Szyba Hypersonic Program Director Raytheon Missiles and Defense
Müller
12:00 Presentation: Space & Ground-Based Radars and State-of-the-Art Detection
• The Opportunities and Challenges of Building a Spaced-based Missile Defense Constellation
12:30 Networking Lunch
1:30 Panel Session: High Cadence, Hypersonic Flight Testing
• Frequency of Testing and Data Results
• Latest Developments in Hypersonic Test Bed Platforms
• Emerging Capabilities in HyCat Programs
• Flight Testing Experimentation with International Collaboration
2:30 Networking Break
2:45 Presentation: Building High-Performance Teams to Solve Complex Highly Coupled Trans-Disciplinary Problems
Dr. Charles Camarda Hypersonic Researcher and Innovator & Author Former NASA Astronaut & Sr. Advisor for Innovation Office of Chief Engineer, Johnson Space Center
The conference was exceptionally beneficial to me because of the many subject matter experts and thought leaders in hypersonic technology speaking and participating on the panels. The keynote speakers were thought provoking and informative.
Aerospace and Defense Team Lead, Ansys
A perfect balance of government’s vision, industry’s leadership and networking opportunities.
Upcoming Defense & National Security Event
February 25 – 26, 2025
San Diego, CA
ACI has been one of the world’s leading conference organizers delivering over 100 conferences annually. We host live and digital events that promote an unrivaled exchange of expertise, unbiased new trends and intelligence. ACI Defense is dedicated to the continuing progress of the Federal Government, Department of Defense and Armed Services, extensive and essential defense mission sets. We provide our attendees and partners with a platform where they can gain industry knowledge and expertise to keep pace with unprecedented technological developments, emerging and evolving threats and operational needs across the defense spectrum.
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VENUE INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATIONS
American Conference Institute is pleased to offer our delegates a limited number of hotel rooms at a negotiated rate. To take advantage of these rates, please contact the hotel directly and quote “ACI’s Hypersonic Weapons“.
Please note that the guest room block cut-off date is March 17, 2025. After that date OR when the room block fills, guestroom availability and rate can no longer be guaranteed.
BOOK NOW
Book with Confidence!
Register and pay to lock in your early rate and be eligible for a full refund until March 18, 2025.
If you are unable to attend for any reason, you will have the following options:
y A full credit note for you, or a colleague to attend another event.
y A full refund.
All cancellations and changes must be submitted to CustomerService@AmericanConference.com by March 18, 2025.
Due to the sensitive and critical nature of the hypersonic weapons program, ACI must state that only United States Government, Contractors and Academia, and her NATO Allies will be allowed to attend this summit. — CLOSED TO PRESS
EVENT
DRESS CODE
SPEAKERS: Class A Uniform requested, Business Dress (civilian)
ATTENDEES: Duty Uniform / Uniform of the Day, Business Dress (civilian)
Complimentary Attendance to All Active United States Military and Government Employees Active federal employees, including military personnel, can attend the summit at no charge.
To secure your spot, online pre-registration is mandatory before March 7th. After this deadline, the cost will be $695. Contractors are not eligible for military/government registration and must register at the Standard In-Person Conference Vendor rate.
