Evolving Warfare: Rise of the Drones!

Evolving Warfare: Rise of the Drones!

June 18^th, 2026 | 8am- 5:30pm

at USMSM SMART Bldg

 

 

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”

Moderator: Sevan Mehrabian, Deloitte- Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) | National Security

• • • Dr David Gonzalez, ONR’s Naval Aerospace Focus Area Lead Bio: https://aiaa.org/people/david-gonzalez/
    • 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 Doug Sasse N81, OPNAV  Bio: https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2815197/rear-admiral-douglas-w-sasse-iii/

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 Aero  * OAG   * Firestorm * Levanta Tech  * MEX Technologies (Poland)

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       Panel 2: Allies and Partnerships

• • •  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/
    •  Military Attache, Poland
    • 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 
    •  Defense Attache, Norway (invited)
    •  Defense Attache, UK

15:15-15:30       Networking Break

15:30-16:30      Panel 3:   Counter UAS Technology

• • • Moderator: Robert “Juice” Newton, Newton Engineering
    • LTC Paul Lushenko, Ph.D , Chief Strategist, Joint Interagency Task Force Bio: https://www.usni.org/people/paul-lushenko
    • CLCDR Josh Wofford CG-Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS)
    • Mark Butkiewicz, VP Applied Technology Sector, SURVICE Engineering Bio https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mark-Butkiewicz-Bio-2026.doc
    • Ryan McBeth-Ukraine UAS Bio: https://www.ryanmcbeth.com/about-3

16:30-16:45       Closing Remarks & Wrap up – RADM Scott Sanders, USNR (ret)

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.

TPP Drone Program Sponsorships at USMSM SMART

Sponsorship Opportunities here: https://paxpartnership.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=13080&preview=true

To book a sponsorship please call: Vandy Young, 240-577-1617 or vandy.young@paxpartnership.org

 

 

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.