NEXT GENERATION UAS SUMMIT
The battlefield has changed - drone dominance is no longer a future ambition, but rather today’s operational imperative. S.
Event at a glance
Dates: June 23, 2026 – June 24, 2026
Duration: 2 Days
Location: Arlington, VA, USA
Event status: PAST
Main themes
Robotics software and simulation
Drones and aerial systems
Industrial automation
Why this event matters
The Next Generation UAS Summit is an inaugural defense conference convening on June 23-24, 2026, at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. S. military, addressing critical challenges in unmanned aerial systems including scaling production, integrating advanced autonomy, and fast-tracking acquisition processes. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and USMC to discuss next-generation UAS capabilities. Key topics include one-way attack systems, vertical lift modernization, AI-enabled autonomy, ISR capabilities, the Blue UAS List expansion, and training pipelines. The event provides direct visibility into emerging UAS investment priorities and emphasizes real-world lessons from recent conflicts, particularly Ukraine, while addressing industrial base readiness and operational dominance in modern warfare.
Speakers and community
S. Air Force Headquarters. Key speakers include Colonel Dustin Thomas, who oversees the scaling of the Blue UAS List, and Dr. Mike Kweon, Program Manager for VICTOR ERP. S. services, program offices, and the Defense Contract Management Agency. Confirmed attendees include representatives from American Robotics, L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Skydio, Thales, and government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and CISA.
Venue and setting
The summit takes place at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, located at 900 South Orme Street in Arlington, Virginia. The venue offers over 30,000 square feet of meeting space and 419 guest rooms. , less than three miles from the nation's capital. The location is ideal for defense events, situated adjacent to the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and other military landmarks. C. monuments and easy access to government facilities.
Previous editions
This is the inaugural edition of the Next Generation UAS Summit. IDGA has not previously hosted this specific event, making the 2026 gathering the first of its kind. However, IDGA has extensive experience organizing defense conferences, including the annual Counter-UAS Summit and the Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Summit, which have convened military leaders and industry experts for discussions on unmanned systems, autonomy, and C-UAS strategies. The Next Generation UAS Summit represents a new focused platform specifically addressing drone dominance and next-generation unmanned capabilities.
