Conference Overview

Shaping the Rules That Shape Autonomy 

As autonomy scales across air, ground, and maritime domains, the policies, regulations, standards, and governance frameworks that guide integration must evolve just as rapidly. From emerging operational rules and certification pathways to cybersecurity, data sharing, spectrum management, and infrastructure readiness, decisions being made today will shape how autonomous systems are deployed, trusted, and scaled in the years ahead.

Bringing together federal, state, local, tribal, and international stakeholders, this track explores how government and industry can align on the policies needed to enable safe, secure, and responsible adoption of autonomy. Sessions examine topics including counter-UAS authorities, AI governance, regulatory harmonization, workforce and infrastructure readiness, spectrum allocation, and the global technology competition influencing domestic policy priorities. Designed for attendees navigating the realities of implementation, the track focuses on practical lessons, collaborative frameworks, and policy approaches that support innovation at scale.

These sessions are designed for attendees looking to navigate the “how” of policy implementation, from real-world operationalization to collaborative frameworks that support innovation at scale.

Keywords: AI ethics, AI governance, allied nation partnerships, AAM operations, BVLOS, certification pathways, compliance strategy, cross-border operations, counter-UAS authorities, CUAS Act reauthorization, demonstration programs, DHS, DoW, DoT, EASA, FAA, FCC, federal regulations, friend-shoring, global harmonization, ICAO, infrastructure policy, international competitiveness, international standards, joint governance, liability and insurance, operational frameworks, Part 108, policy implementation, public-private partnerships, Remote ID, responsible AI, responsible innovation, risk disclosure, Section 2209, spectrum management, state and local governance, technology competition, tribal and territorial policy, type certification

Securing Supply Chains, Systems, and Technologies

From cyberattacks on operational systems to geopolitical disruptions, constrained access to critical components, and the growing threat of hostile uncrewed systems against critical infrastructure, today’s autonomous systems industry must treat resilience not as a contingency plan, but as a core design principle.

Sessions explore how companies and integrators are transforming how they design, source, and secure their systems — not just tracking risk, but eliminating it. Compliance requirements such as NDAA restrictions and the FCC covered list are reshaping procurement decisions across the industry, while hardware and software bill of materials, zero-trust architecture, secure-by-design principles, export controls, and foreign component dependencies — including battery supply chains and critical materials — define the risk landscape for air, ground, and maritime platforms alike. Built for practitioners and decision-makers across engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and compliance who must translate global risks into operational strategy.

Sessions are geared toward practitioners and decision-makers across engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and compliance who must translate global risks into smart, operational choices.

Keywords: Authority to Operate (ATO), battery sourcing, business continuity, component traceability, counter-UAS deployment, critical components, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, domestic sourcing, dual-use technology, encryption, export controls, FCC covered list, firmware security, FOCI, foreign dependency reduction, HBOM (Hardware Bill of Materials), incident response, international supplier qualification, lithium supply chain, localization strategies, NDAA compliance, operational readiness, origin traceability, procurement risk, reverse engineering, risk mitigation, sanctions, SBOM (Software Bill of Materials), secure-by-design, supplier risk management, supply chain resilience, supply chain security, system hardening, tamper detection, testing and evaluation, vendor vetting, zero-trust architecture

Engineering Intelligence, Integration, and Innovation   

The next generation of autonomous systems will not be defined by any single breakthrough — it will be built at the intersection of AI-driven perception, advanced propulsion, sensor fusion, human-machine teaming, and system assurance frameworks that can keep pace with rapid innovation. Across air platforms such as eVTOL and uncrewed aircraft, ground systems including autonomous vehicles and robotic platforms, and maritime applications spanning surface vessels and undersea systems, the engineering challenges are converging around shared questions of intelligence, integration, and operational readiness.

Engineers, researchers, and technical practitioners will explore algorithm development, collaborative autonomy, swarm coordination, counter-UAS systems, and energy technologies across all domains. Emerging topics — including AI/ML certification, detect and avoid, AI assurance, verification and validation, quantum technologies, and modular architectures — are examined in the context of real-world deployment readiness, where lab results must translate to the field.

Whether developing platforms, fine-tuning components, or assessing readiness for field use, this track is built for technical professionals driving the future of autonomy.

Keywords: additive manufacturing/3D printing, AI assurance, AI/ML certification, algorithm development, airworthiness, allied nation interoperability, artificial intelligence, battery lifespan, C2 links, collaborative autonomy, computer vision, counter-UAS systems, data assurance, design principles, detect and avoid (DAA), DO-178C, energy storage, eVTOL, field testing, generative AI, GPS-denied navigation, human-centered design, human-machine teaming, hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid propulsion, interoperability, large language models (LLMs), LiDAR perception, machine learning, maritime autonomy, mission capability, modular architecture, multi-agent systems, obstacle avoidance, optimization, perception, precision landing, propulsion technologies, quantum technologies, readiness levels, reinforcement learning, ROS 2, SDK integration, semantic segmentation, sensor fusion, sensor integration, simulation (SITL/HITL), SLAM, software assurance, swarm technology, terrain following, testing methodologies, TRL, undersea systems, UUV, USV, verification and validation (V&V)

Scaling Infrastructure, Intelligence, and Impact   

Scaling autonomy from pilot to full deployment requires more than good technology — it demands a layered ecosystem of infrastructure, manufacturing capability, data systems, and operational strategy. Whether standing up domestic production lines, integrating systems across airports, seaports, or logistics corridors, or building the data architectures that power long-term operations, the challenge is not just deploying autonomy but sustaining it.

Sessions examine the infrastructure and manufacturing operations enabling autonomy at scale — including production readiness, MRO infrastructure, reshoring and contract manufacturing, and additive manufacturing for operational continuity. Discussions also address systems-level coordination, AAM operations and vertiport integration, autonomous maritime logistics, digital twins, predictive performance, and scalability frameworks that support everything from urban delivery networks to offshore inspection. Designed for integrators, manufacturers, infrastructure developers, data engineers, and commercial operators building the foundations of operational autonomy.

These sessions are designed for those building the foundations and frameworks of operational autonomy, including integrators, infrastructure developers, urban planners, data engineers, and commercial operators.

Keywords: additive manufacturing, AAM operations, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), autonomous logistics, battery manufacturing, charging stations, command and control (C2), contingency planning, contract manufacturing, data architecture, data curation, data privacy, data sovereignty, digital infrastructure, digital twins, edge computing, electrification, energy planning, eVTOL, fleet management, global deployment, infrastructure funding, integration testing, legacy systems, manufacturing operations, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), nearshoring, operational analytics, physical infrastructure, predictive maintenance, production readiness levels (PRL), production scaling, quality assurance, reshoring, scalability, skyports/vertiports, smart cities, standards development, system-of-systems, UTM

Preparing People for Emerging Tech   

The uncrewed systems and robotics sectors are growing faster than the workforce trained to support them. Across engineering, operations, maintenance, and policy, demand for autonomy-ready talent is outpacing supply — and closing that gap requires deliberate action across education, industry, and government. Sessions spotlight curriculum innovation, credentialing models, apprenticeship programs, re-skilling initiatives, and veteran transition pathways, with a relentless focus on bridging education and employment.

From STEM engagement and community college programs to technical certification frameworks and career development pipelines, attendees will discover how partnerships are being forged to meet the moment and shape the next generation of the autonomy workforce. Ideal for employers, academic institutions, educators, workforce leaders, and policymakers committed to building the talent pipeline the industry depends on.

These sessions are ideal for employers, academic institutions, educators, workforce leaders, and policymakers committed to preparing talent for autonomy across air, land, and sea. 

Keywords: apprenticeships, career pathways, curriculum development, diversity and inclusion, economic mobility, education ecosystem, employer partnerships, equitable access, federal workforce funding, future workforce, higher education, international education partnerships, internships, job readiness, micro-credentials, Part 107, post-secondary education, public-private partnerships, re-skilling, short-term training, skill building, standard occupational classification codes (SOC), STEM, talent pipeline, technical education, Trusted Operator, veteran transitions, workforce development

Funding, Adoption & Real-World Impact    

Deployment is where the promise of autonomy meets the complexity of the real world — budget cycles, procurement constraints, evolving regulatory requirements, and the constant pressure to demonstrate ROI. Operational frameworks such as BVLOS authorization and Part 108 are expanding what is possible in the air, while autonomous ground systems are transforming logistics and inspection, and maritime autonomy is opening new frontiers in offshore operations and oceanographic research.

Sessions share use cases, implementation strategies, and hard-won lessons from practitioners who have moved from pilot to scale. With a focus on what actually works — from grant programs and venture capital to public-private partnerships and commercial air, ground, and maritime operations — this track delivers actionable perspectives on where autonomy is creating real impact, and what it takes to get there.

Keywords: agriculture, autonomy-as-a-service, BVLOS, community outreach, conservation technology, delivery operations, drones-as-a-service, environmental value, funding, grant programs, illustrating ROI, implementation, infrastructure inspection, industry adoption, international markets, investment, logistics, mapping, media strategy, Part 108, Part 135, public-private partnerships, regulatory navigation, scalability, security operations, surveying, technology adoption, transparency and trust, urban air mobility, venture capital