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 Link: 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 (confirmed) Bio Linked : 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 Navy’s Drone “Hedge Strategy”?

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

• NAWCAD/NAVAIR Rep (TBD)
• Anthony Antognoli, USCG, Assistant COMDT/PEO Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) – (invited) Bio link: https://www.uscg.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/4285230/mr-anthony-jl-antognoli/
• Colonel. Gregg Skinner, USMC (ret) PMA 263 PAE RAS (invited) Bio Link : https://www.navair.navy.mil/organization/PMA-263
• RADM Doug Sasse N81, OPNAV (confirmed) Bio Link: 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, former Acting Secretary of Defense, COO, Highpoint Aerotechnologies (confirmed)Bio Link: https://www.war.gov/about/biographies/biography/article/2111192/christopher-c-miller/

11:30-11:45       Networking time and Lunch set up

11:45 -12:45      Box Lunch and

12:45 -13:45       UAS Show & Tell (each company gets 6-8 minutes for overview)

* Platform Aero            * OAG

* Asio

* Levanta Tech               *Newton Engineering

*MEX Technologies (Poland)

13:30-14:30       Air Vice Marshall Chris Mullen, U.S. Embassy Military Attache (confirmed) Bio Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/chris-mullen

14:30-15:15       Panel 2: Allies and Partnerships

•                 Moderator TBD
•                 Military Attache, Poland or Germany
•                 Defense Attache, Australia (invited)
•                 Defense Attache, UAE (invited)
•                 Defense Attache, UK (confirmed)

15:15-15:30       Networking Break

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

Moderator:       Col. Scott McLellan, U.S. Army, Dep Director, JIATF 401 (invited) Bio Link: https://www.idga.org/events-counteruas-usa/speakers/colonel-scott-mclellan

• Major Matt Fritters, U.S. Army (ret), former Director of Technology Strategy & Transformation, U.S. Space Force (confirmed) Bio below
• Mark Butkiewicz, VP Applied Technology Sector, Survice Engineering (confirmed) Bio below
• Joe Williams, Hidden Level
• Ryan McBeth-Ukraine UAS (confirmed) Bio Link: https://www.ryanmcbeth.com/about-3

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

16:45-17:45      Reception – SMART Lobby

Speaker Bios 

• Mark-Butkiewicz: https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mark-Butkiewicz-Bio-2026.doc
• Major Matt Fritters: https://paxpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mark-Butkiewicz-Bio-2026-1.doc

 

REGISTRATION FEE:

Pre-Registration Cost:
$100 – TPP member*
$200 – Non-members*
Federal Civilians & Active Duty Military – no cost ($16 if you would like lunch)*

Walk-in Registration Cost:
$150 – TPP member*
$250 – Non-members*
Federal Civilians & Active Duty Military – no cost ($15 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.