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Evolving Warfare: Rise of the Drones!
Evolving Warfare: Rise of the Drones!
June 18th, 2026 | 8am- 5:30pm
at USMSM SMART Bldg
Thank you to our Sponsors & Exhibitors:
KBR, MIL Corp, Platform Aerospace, Chase Defense Partners
AGENDA ( also evolving and subject to change)
Evolving Warfare: The Rise of the Drones
TPP provides a forum for Government, Academia and Industry to engage and discuss strategic topics that shape our national security structure and our future.
This Symposium will focus on emerging drone and future autonomous technologies and how they will affect Navy, Joint & Coalition operations.
Moderator: RADM Scott Sanders, USNR (ret) Bio: https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2379068/rear-admiral-scott-e-sanders/#:~:text=Rear%20Adm.,67)%20from%201983%2D86.
07:45-08:15 Check in & morning coffee
08:15-08:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks (TPP)
08:30-09:15 VADM Jeffrey Hughes, Deputy Chief of Staff Capability Development, Headquarters, Supreme Allied Command Transformation Bio: https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236295/vice-admiral-jeffrey-w-huge-hughes/#:~:text=Vice%20Adm.,National%20Security%20and%20Strategic%2
09:15-10:15 Panel 1: “The Drone Hedge Strategy”
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- Moderator: Sevan Mehrabian, Deloitte- Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) | National Security
- Larry Branthoover, NAVAIR Chief Technology Office, PAE Munition/DPAE(A) MNC3 Science and Technology Bio: https://paxpartnership.org/larry-branthoover/
- Major Matt Friters, U.S. Army (ret), former Director of Technology Strategy & Transformation, U.S. Space Force (confirmed) Bio https://paxpartnership.org/major-matt-friters-u-s-army-ret/
- LT. Colonel. Gregg Skinner, USMC (ret) PMA 263 PAE RAS Bio: https://www.navair.navy.mil/organization/PMA-263
- RADM Douglas W. Sasse, III, Director, Assessment Division, N81, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Bio: https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2815197/rear-admiral-douglas-w-sasse-iii/
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10:15-10:45 Networking Break
10:45-11:30 The Honorable Christopher C. Miller, Founder and CEO, FPF-Defense Bio: Christopher Miller Bio
11:30-12:45 Networking time and Lunch set up/ Box Lunch
12:45-13:45 UAS Show & Tell (each company gets 6-8 minutes for overview)
* Platform Aerospace * OAG * Firestorm * LeVanta Tech
13:30-14:30 Air Vice Marshall Chris Mullen, British Embassy Military Attache Bio: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/chris-mullen
14:30-15:15 Discussion: Allies and Partnerships
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- Moderator: Mr. Christopher C. Collins, Former Executive Director, Developmental Test, Evaluation & Assessments (OUSW(R&E))Bio: https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2928899/christopher-c-collins/
- Dr. Dale Quinn Counsellor, Defence Science and Technology at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C. https://usa.embassy.gov.au/people/defence-attache-head-australian-defence-staff
- Air Vice Marshall Chris Mullen, British Embassy Military Attache Bio: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/chris-mullen
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15:15-15:30 Networking Break
15:30-16:30 Panel 3: Counter UAS Technology
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- Moderator: Robert “Juice” Newton, Newton Engineering Bio: https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NEWT_NCE-BIO.26-.pdf
- LTC Paul Lushenko, Ph.D , Chief Strategist, Joint Interagency Task Force Bio: https://www.usni.org/people/paul-lushenko
- LCDR Josh Wofford CG-Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Bio: https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Joshua-C-Wofford-Bio_PEO-RAS.pdf
- Mark Butkiewicz, VP Applied Technology Sector, SURVICE Engineering Bio https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mark-Butkiewicz-Bio-2026.doc
- Ryan McBeth–OSINT Analyst Bio: https://www.ryanmcbeth.com/about-3
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16:30-16:45 Closing Remarks & Wrap up – RADM Scott Sanders, USN
16:45-17:45 Reception – Airport Atrium at AeroPark, 44200 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619
REGISTRATION FEE:
Pre-Registration Cost:
$100 – TPP member*
$200 – Non-members*
Federal Civilians, Active Duty Military, Foreign Military – no cost ($16 if you would like lunch)*
Walk-in Registration Cost:
$150 – TPP member*
$250 – Non-members*
Federal Civilians & Active Duty Military, Foreign Military – no cost ($16 if you would like lunch)*
*Lunch is included with registration.
NOTE: Pre-registration for this event will close on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 12 pm OR until we reach max capacity.
If this happens, we will still accept walk-ins at the door; however, you will be required to pay the walk-in registration fee.