UNCREWED AERIAL VEHICLES SAN DIEGO
February 25–26, 2025 • Admiral Baker Clubhouse, San Diego, CA
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS:
Lieutenant General (USMC-ret)
Steven "Stick" Rudder
Former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC
Former Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
Professor Kenneth "Mike" Canada (USN-ret)
Program Chair, Associate Professor, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
VADM Jimmy Pitts, USN
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, N9 Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Kevin "Astro" Murray, SES
Chief Technology Officer, Deputy Commandant Information (DC I) HQ, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC)
John Vona, SES, DAF Director, Operational Requirements and Capability Development, DCS, Strategy, Integration and Requirements (Air Force Futures) AF/A5/7D
WHY ATTEND
Gain Mission Critical Takeaways on New, Innovative Solutions and Capabilities:
PLAY Stay in the Loop on Emerging DoD and U.S. Government UAS Priorities, and Design Manufacturing Requirements
PLAY Delve Into UAS Multi-Domain Developmental Test and Evaluation Capabilities
PLAY Discuss AF Collaborative Combat Efforts and Ask Your Questions
PLAY Ensure you are Up-to-Speed on Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office Programs and Vision
PLAY Gain Insights into New Army Futures UAS Plans and Programs
4 Hours
Dedicated Networking with the People You Need to Meet
Connect
During Exhibits, Breakfasts, Breaks and Luncheons
Continue the Conversation at the Cocktail Reception Discuss Opportunities and Next Steps
DoD released its 2025 budget, $849 billion, including $2.4 billion for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. The budget aims to accelerate the development and procurement of combat drones. The U.S. Air Force has prioritized the development of uncrewed combat aircraft, which they call Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The Air Force has plans to build 1,000 of these drones, which will fly alongside manned fighters. The military drone market is expected to grow to $20.64 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 6.8%.
– Source (GAO).
The Global Commercial Drone Market Projected to Reach $54 Billion By 2030
Please join ACI’s 2nd National Summit on Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles as our esteemed DoD, Government, and Industry experts discuss the critical roles and opportunities posed by a new generation of UAS Technologies and teaming capabilities for the modern battlefield and National Airspace.
I look forward to welcoming you to this outstanding event. Seats are again expected to sell out, so secure your spot today!
V/r,
Conference Director, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles Summit San Diego American Conference Institute
YOU WILL MEET:
• CEOs/COOs Unmanned Aircraft & Aviation Defense Systems
• Presidents/VPs Defense & UAS Programs
• University R&D Directors Faculty
• General Managers, Defense Weapons Programs
• Commanding Officers & COCOMs
• Directors, Advanced Programs, Aviation
• DoD Branch Service Chiefs
• Business Development Managers, Autonomous Aircraft Systems
• Sr. Marketing Manager & Business Development, Defense Systems
• Sr. Analysts, Defense Weapons & Testing
• Sales Directors, Space & Defense Systems
Elevate Your Presence in This Growing, Competitive Marketplace.
REQUEST AN EXHIBITOR & SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS
Whether your goal is to penetrate new markets, establish your position as a top-tier integrator or service provider, or ensure your target customers think of you first, ACI's National Summit on Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles offers you the ideal platform to interface with the very people you need to meet.
Maximize Your Visibility at the Event For more information on sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, please contact Lanny Morris, L.Morris@AmericanConference.com
• Principal & Chief Scientists
• Program & Project Managers
• Aerospace Mechanical Engineers
• Aviation & Autonomous Systems Engineers
• Test & Evaluation Director and Engineers
• Mechanical Science Leads
BRADFORD BARRETT
THE CONFERENCE CHAIRS
LIEUTENANT GENERAL (USMC-RET) STEVEN "STICK" RUDDER
Former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC
Former Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
PROFESSOR KENNETH "MIKE" CANADA, (USN-RET)
Program Chair, Associate Professor
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
KEYNOTES
VADM JIMMY PITTS, USN
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, N9
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
KEVIN
"ASTRO" MURRAY, SES
Chief Technology Officer, Deputy Commandant Information (DC I) HQ, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC)
JOHN VONA, SES, DAF
Director, Operational Requirements and Capability Development, DCS, Strategy, Integration and Requirements (Air Force Futures) AF/A5/7D
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
CAPT COLIN CORRIDAN, USN
Deputy Director Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office (DCO)
CAPTAIN DENNIS “FESTER” MONAGLE, USN
Program Manager Multi-Mission Tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems PMA-266
LTC MICHAEL “BRAB’S” BRABNER, USA
Robotics Requirements Division, Air Branch Chief Maneuver Capabilities Development & Integration Directorate Army Futures Command
CAPT GEORGE GALDORISI, (USN-RET)
Director, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Assessments and Technical Futures Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC)
MAJOR GENERAL AMIKAM NORKIN
Distinguished Fellow
Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA)
Israeli Air Force Commander General (res)
LTGEN SAM MUNDY, (USMC-RET)
Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security
Middle Eastern Institute
President, One a Marine, LLC, Former Commander, MARCENT
COL PAVLO KHAZAN
Chief of the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) Uncrewed Systems Department
Armed Forces of Ukraine
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
BRANDON YOUNGBLOOD
Principal
Drone Security Services
Former FAA Group Manager, UAS Security, and CUAS Integration, (AJR-26) Air Traffic Organization
COLIN ROSS
Attorney Advisor, Office of Law & Policy, National Security Division
U.S. Department of Justice
DR. MARK MAYBURY
Vice President, Commercialization, Engineering & Technology
Lockheed Martin TOM ADAMS
Director of Public Safety DroneShield
Former FBI C-UAS Unit Chief
BRIAN KEITH
Protective Security Advisor
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
JASON SCHROEDER
Chief Technology Officer, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT)
U.S. Special Operations Command
CAPT TED VENABLE, (USN-RET)
CNT/UAS Program Manager (COMUSNAVSO/C4F)
U.S. Fourth Fleet Counter Illicit Trafficking
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
LT COL BRADFORD “CRUSH” WADE, USAF
Commander, 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron Creech AFB, NV
MR. ELIAS RIGAS
DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
Army Research Directorate
Chief Vehicle Applied Research Branch
NEIL ZERBE
CEO
Aerospace and Defense Industry Partners
CDR JEREMIAH DALEY, USN
Military Director
PACFLT N9WAR
THOMAS JONES
ONR Global Science Advisor to Commander, Naval Air Forces
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
JOHN “STREAK” SCUDI
Acting Advanced Capabilities PM
MQ-25 Development
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
BRYAN SCURRY, NAVY – NAVWAR – NAVAIR
Account Manager
Leidos
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
TRACY CONROY
Experimental Director, Trident Warrior
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
CDR BRANT “BUCKET” BROCKETT, USN
Experimental Director
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
AGENDA
DAY ONE FEBRUARY 25, 2025
7:15 MORNING COFFEE & REGISTRATION
8:15 Day 1 Opening Remarks from Program Co-Chairs
microphone-alt Lieutenant General (USMC-ret) Steven "Stick" Rudder, Former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC, Former Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
Professor Kenneth "Mike" Canada, (USN-ret), Program Chair, Associate Professor, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
DOD & GOVERNMENT UAS: WARFIGHTER REQUIREMENTS,
A.I. CAPABILITIES & GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
8:30 NAVY KEYNOTE
Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles: Emerging Capabilities, and Future Requirements
Supporting Warfighting – Warfighters & Foundations
microphone-alt Vice Admiral James E. Pitts, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, N9, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
• ONR Emerging UAV Plans & Programs
• Multi-Platform Capabilities
• Navy Command Resources in Supporting Operational Efficiencies
9:00 MARINE CORP KEYNOTE
Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Aerial Platforms Teaming for Warfighting Superiority
microphone-alt Kevin “Astro” Murray, SES, Chief Technology Officer, Deputy Commandant Information (DC I), HQ, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC)
• Exploiting Inherent Expeditionary Capabilities
• Maximizing UAVs to Create Outsized Effects for Our Allies
• Integration of UAV Emerging Technologies
9:30 AIR FORCE KEYNOTE
Air Force Collaborative Combat Effort
microphone-alt John Vona, SES, DAF, Director, Operational Requirements and Capability Development, DCS, Strategy, Integration, and Requirements (Air Force Futures), AF/A5/7D
• Understanding a Multi-Pronged Initiative to Test, Develop, and Implement New Autonomous Manned-unmanned Aircraft Teaming Concepts
• Harnessing Cutting-Edge Disruptive Technologies
• Exploring International Partnerships
AGENDA
DAY ONE FEBRUARY 25, 2025
10:00 PRESENTATION
DCO Emerging UAV Needs & Requirements
microphone-alt Capt Colin Corridan, USN, Deputy Director, Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office (DCO)
• Pushing the Bounds of Rapidly Delivering Warfighting Capability
• Innovation using Rapid Experimentation and Prototyping
• Delivering Solutions to Warfighters at a Pace and Scale to Close Critical Capability Gaps
10:30 Extended Networking Break
11:00 USMC MQ-9A
microphone-alt Captain Dennis “Fester” Monagle, USN, Program Manager Multi-Mission Tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems, PMA-266
• MQ-9 Marine Air-Ground Task Force Updates
• Expeditionary (MUX) Family of Systems
• Emerging Group 4 and 5 Vertical Lift Platforms
11:30 Special Army Futures Presentation
microphone-alt Army UAS Platforms, Capabilities and Requirements, UAS Project Office LTC Michael “Brab’s” Brabner, USA, Robotics Requirements Division, Air Branch Chief, Maneuver Capabilities Development & Integration Directorate, Army Futures Command
• Developing and Determining the Capabilities of the Future Force
• Program & Policy Capabilities Across the Doctrine, Org, Training, Materiel & Leadership
• Experiment and Collection, Analysis of Data to Validate Concepts and Capabilities
12:15 ONR UAS Innovation and Strategies at CNAF
microphone-alt Thomas Jones, ONR Global Science Advisor to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
• ONR Operational Fleet Force Science and Technology Advancements in Support of CNAF
• Latest In Experimentation and Key Technologies to the Warfighter
• UAV Needs – Requirements and Autonomy Advancements
12:45 Networking Luncheon
AGENDA
DAY ONE FEBRUARY 25, 2025
1:45 AI & Machine Learning: New UAS Innovation and Strategies
microphone-alt Captain (USN-ret) George Galdorisi, Director, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Assessments and Technical Futures, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC)
MODERATOR: Bryan Scurry, Navy- NAVWAR – NAVAIR, Account Manager, Leidos
• NIWC Inventing and Innovating to Produce Tools Prevail in the 21st Century Battlefield
• AI & ML Technologies: The Future of Maritime Security and Defense
• Strategic Focus Areas: Culture, Think Big, Go Fast, Think Warfighter, and Go Tough
2:45 Networking Break
3:15 Replicator 2 Program Initiative Update
microphone-alt Senior Representative, Defense Innovation Unit
• Policy and Plans Updates
• Capabilities Vision
• Capability Gaps
• C-SUAS Critical Installation and Force Concentration
4:00–5:00 Networking Cocktail Reception
AGENDA
DAY TWO FEBRUARY 26, 2025
7:30 Morning Coffee & Registration
8:15 Day 2 Opening Remarks from Program Co-Chairs
microphone-alt Lieutenant General (USMC-ret) Steven "Stick" Rudder, Former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC, Former Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
Professor Kenneth "Mike" Canada, (USN-ret), Program Chair, Associate Professor, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SUAS PLATFORMS, CAPABILITIES & TECHNOLOGIES
8:30 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Air Force UAS Needs, Capabilities, and Requirements to Counter Adversarial Threats
9:00 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Military Capabilities in the Middle East and Ukraine
microphone-alt Major General Amikam Norkin, Distinguished Fellow, Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), Israeli Air Force Commander General (res)
LtGen Sam Mundy, (USMC-ret), Distinguished Sr. Fellow, National Security Middle Eastern Institute, President, One a Marine, LLC, Former Commander, MARCENT
Col Pavlo Khazan, Chief of the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF), Uncrewed Systems Department, Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Implementing Netcentric and Robotic Military Capabilities
• Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Counter-drone capabilities
• sUAS Funding Status
• Effective Defense and Serial Counter-offensives
• Future Plans Requirements and Capabilities
AGENDA
DAY TWO FEBRUARY 26, 2025
COUNTERING THE THREAT – UAS IN THE NATIONAL AIR SPACE: NEEDS & CHALLENGES
10:00 CUAS Limitations within the National Air Space Plans, Programs, Regulations, and Pilot Operational Requirements
microphone-alt Colin Ross, Attorney Advisor, Office of Law & Policy, National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Dr. Mark Maybury, Vice President, Commercialization, Engineering & Technology, Lockheed Martin
Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety, DroneShield, Former FBI C-UAS Unit Chief
Brian Keith, Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security
MODERATOR: Brandon Youngblood, Principal, Drone Security Services, Former FAA Group Manager, UAS Security, and CUAS Integration, (AJR-26) Air Traffic Organization
• Cutting-Edge Multi-Sensor Capabilities & Privacy
• Port Security
• FAA Resources
• sUAS Investigations Training for Government & DoD
11:15
11:45 Accelerating Special Operational Forces’ Employment of Uncrewed Systems
microphone-alt Jason Schroeder, Chief Technology Officer, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), U.S. Special Operations Command
• Strengthening Regional Stability
• Expanding Regional SOF and CT Forces
• Maintaining a Deep Understanding of the Environment
12:15 Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet UAS Capabilities and Innovation
microphone-alt CAPT (USN-ret) Ted Venable, CNT/UAS Program Manager (COMUSNAVSO/C4F), U.S. Fourth Fleet Counter Illicit Trafficking
• Working with Industry to Advance Maritime Uncrewed Since 2008
• U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND AOR as the Environment to Operationalize Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
• CNO Designated FOURTH FLEET to Lead the Navy’s Hybrid Fleet Concept Development
• FOURTH FLEET Leveraging Industry Innovation to Advance Multi-Domain Integration for the Navy’s Hybrid Fleet Concept
• U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Working with Our Partner Navy to Mature the Integration Of Uncrewed Aircraft Into the Maritime Environment
AGENDA
DAY TWO FEBRUARY 26, 2025
12:45 Networking Luncheon
1:45 Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) Platforms, Payloads and Loitering Munitions
microphone-alt Lt Col Bradford “Crush” Wade, USAF, Commander, 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
Mr. Elias Rigas, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Army Research Directorate, Chief Vehicle Applied Research Branch
John “Streak” Scudi, Acting Advanced Capabilities PM, MQ-25 Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center
Picatinny Arsenal Senior Representative
• Rapid and Assured, Highly Automated Aerial Distribution to Small Units Operating in Contested Environments
• Waypoint Navigation for Mission Planning
• Payload Options and Impact on Combat Supply Transportation
• Next Gen Loitering Munitions
2:45 Networking Break
3:00 DoD Collaboration for Uncrewed Systems - Maintaining Security in the U.S. Indo-Pacific
microphone-alt Tracy Conroy, Experimental Director, Trident Warrior, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
CDR Brant “Bucket” Brockett, USN, Experimental Director, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific
4:00 Co-Chairs’ Closing Remarks
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OUR MISSION
At ACI, we understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the ever-evolving world of defense and military. Our conferences provide a unique platform to network, gain insights to advance modernization efforts, and establish partnerships to achieve strategic and operational objectives. Our programs are held at the Unclassified level and we observe the Chatham House Rule. Our programs are not open to the Media.
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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.
INFORMATION
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE!
Register and pay to lock in your early rate and be eligible for a full refund until February 7th, 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
by February 7th, 2025.