Hypersonic Innovation Conference 2026
The 5th Annual Hypersonic Innovation Conference will bring together senior military leaders, government officials, industry representatives, and academic researchers to examine the future of hypersonic weapons development and integrated missile defense. Taking place in Huntsville, Alabama, the 2026 event will focus on accelerating the United States’ ability to develop, operationalize, and defend against hypersonic capabilities.
The conference will highlight advancements in hypersonic technology research, testing, evaluation, and deployment efforts across the United States. Discussions will address strategic and operational priorities related to long-range precision strike, survivability, advanced sensing and tracking, missile defense integration, and capability transition for the Joint Force.
The event is expected to host more than 650 participants, over 50 sponsors and exhibitors, more than 40 senior-level speakers, and over six hours of dedicated networking time.
When is the Event?
The Hypersonic Innovation Conference will take place on October 20-21, 2026.
Image Credit: DSI Group
Themes
Conference sessions will examine the development and deployment of hypersonic technologies and missile defense systems designed to support operational advantage in contested environments.
Topics of discussion include scaling hypersonic capabilities for Joint Force lethality, operationalizing hypersonic systems across the military services, and advancing layered approaches to hypersonic and missile defense. Additional sessions will focus on experimentation and validation, hypersonic testing infrastructure, next-generation sensing and tracking technologies, and accelerating the integration of hypersonic technologies into operational programs.
The conference will also explore research and development priorities related to advanced materials, thermal protection systems, precision strike systems, and integrated air and missile defense initiatives.
What’s On?
The two-day conference agenda will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical briefings, and networking sessions focused on hypersonic weapons and missile defense capabilities.
Attendees will hear updates from Department of War leadership, military services, federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry organizations regarding current development efforts, operational priorities, and future capability requirements.
Sessions will address:
- Scaling hypersonic advantage for Joint Force lethality
- Defending the homeland in the hypersonic era
- Operationalizing hypersonic technologies across the services
- Layered hypersonic and missile defense approaches
- Advancing hypersonic testing and evaluation capabilities
- Accelerating integration of hypersonic technologies
- Research and development innovations supporting future missions
The conference will also provide opportunities for attendees to engage directly with senior leaders and technical experts during dedicated networking periods.
Speakers
Early confirmed speakers for the 2026 conference include:
- Lt Gen Heath Collins, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency
- James Weber, ST, PhD, Principal Director, Hypersonics; Senior Official for the Scaled Hypersonics Critical Technology Area, OUSW R&E
- RDML Michael Richman, USN, Deputy Director, Regional Strike Systems, U.S. Navy PAE Strategic Systems Programs
- Jacob Glassman, SES, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology (S&T) Foundations, OUSW R&E
- Angela Lewis, PhD, SES, Technical Director for Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
- Shawna McCreary, SES, Technical Director for Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
- Jimmy Allen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War S&T Futures, OUSW R&E; Acting Director, JHTO
- Robert Baurle, PhD, ST, Senior Technologist for Hypersonic, AFRL
- Jesse Maxwell, PhD, Head, Hypersonic Aerodynamics and Propulsion, Naval Research Laboratory
- John Schmisseur, PhD, Associate Dean and Executive Director, UT Space Institute
- Dr. Gregory Scofield, PhD, Hypersonics Laboratory Director, Purdue Applied Research Institute
- Len Zentz, Hypersonic Systems Fellow, SPA
Previous Highlights
Previous editions of the Hypersonic Innovation Conference have focused on accelerating the development, testing, and deployment of hypersonic technologies while addressing evolving missile defense requirements. The event has brought together representatives from government, military services, academia, and industry to discuss strategic deterrence, operational readiness, and emerging hypersonic capabilities.
The conference has also examined advancements in testing and evaluation infrastructure, precision strike technologies, integrated missile defense architectures, and next-generation sensing and tracking systems.
Where is the Event?
The Von Braun Center
700 Monroe Street
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
United States
To learn more about Hypersonic Innovation Conference 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
