MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026

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Defense Strategies Institute’s 3rd Annual MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026 will provide a forum for members of the Department of War, Military Services, industry, academia, and other key stakeholders to discuss the warfighting imperative of implementing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) in the design, development, delivery, acquisition, and sustainment of modern defense systems.

Image credit: MOSA Defense & Warfare Summit.

When is MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026?

The summit will take place April 8–9, 2026.

Summit Themes

Key topics for the 2026 summit will include:

• Applications for MOSA in space systems
• Enhancing air dominance through open system designs
• Accelerating warfighting modernization for the individual soldier
• Role of consortia in MOSA implementation
• Strategic intellectual property (IP) use to promote agility
• Use of MOSA in NAVAIR capability development
• Implementation challenges and acquisition reform tied to the Warfighting Acquisition System (WAS)

What’s On at MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026?

The summit will bring together leaders from across the Department of War, industry, and academia to share how their organizations are implementing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) in response to new acquisition mandates. Discussions will examine how MOSA is driving enhanced competition, innovation, interoperability, and cost-effective system design through open system development.

The 2026 program will explore MOSA’s impact on key areas such as space and directed energy, as well as the Department’s shift toward portfolio-based management. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in constructive dialogue and share insights during interactive sessions. All participants are encouraged to address the speaker faculty and one another with questions, comments, or ideas.

Summit Speakers

Confirmed speakers for 2026 include:

• The Honorable Nickolas H. Guertin – Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (Moderator)
• The Honorable Dr. Douglas Schmidt – Dean, William & Mary, School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics; Former Director of DOT&E
• Michael Heaphy – Director, Defense Standardization Program Office, DLA
• COL Ryan Nesrsta, USA – Program Manager, Utility Helicopters, PEO Aviation
• CAPT Jarrod Hair, USN – Program Manager, PMA 209, NAVAIR
• MAJ Robert Perez-Alemany – Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
• Joseph Dana Teague – Power, Thermal, and Energy Storage Lead, AFRL
• Nicholas Borton – Program Director, SOSA Consortium

Where is MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026?

151 St. George Blvd
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
United States

Additional Information

This event is closed to the press and recordings are not permitted.

The summit is open and complimentary to all Department of War and Federal employees and is classified as an educational and training forum. Industry and academia attendees are subject to a registration fee.

To learn more about MOSA for Defense & Warfare Summit 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .