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Counter UAS Technology USA, organized by SAE Media Group and C-UAS Hub, is pleased to announce that Colonel Scott Humr, Science & Technology Division Chief at Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), will speak at this year’s conference, taking place 30 November – 2 December 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Ahead of the event, Colonel Humr shared his assessment of a threat environment that he says has shifted for good.
“The operational landscape has fundamentally and irrevocably changed. The proliferation of inexpensive, capable, and weaponizable Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) by both peer competitors and non-state actors presents a direct and growing threat to our installations, our personnel, and our mission, both at home and abroad.“
He pointed to the view of Brigadier General Matt Ross, Director of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), that small UAS are a defining threat for our time:
“They are prolific, they’re evolving quickly, and they’re no longer confined to combat. Today’s rapidly evolving drone technology gives individuals and small groups the kind of exquisite surveillance and precision strike capability that used to be reserved for nationstate militaries.”
His address will outline JIATF-401’s key priorities, how C-sUAS efforts are being synchronized across the Department of War, and how the task force is working to deliver joint capabilities at scale to defend the homeland and protect U.S. and allied forces.
Key themes will include:
- Layered defense, not a single solution: early warning, sensing in depth, passive protection and multiple defeat options, tailored to each site
- An adaptable ecosystem: enabling the Joint Force to identify emerging or adapting threats and iterate rapidly
- Emerging technologies: AI-supported sensor employment, plug-and-play networked sensors across C2 platforms, directed energy, and cost-effective kinetic and non-kinetic defeat
- Alignment across the community: bringing Joint and Service leads, allies, partners and industry together
On the technology outlook, Colonel Humr was clear that no single capability will solve the problem:
“Despite many promising emerging technologies there is no silver bullet to countering drones. We believe in creating a layered defense that allows our warfighters to tailor their approach and select the appropriate tools to the scenarios they face.”
On the role of the conference, he said:
“The Counter UAS Technology USA conference serves as a catalyst for bringing together some of the most influential thought leaders, acquisition authorities, and operational experts in the C-UAS domain. As UAS threats rapidly evolve, this event provides a vital forum for Joint and Service leads, allies & partners, and industry to help align our efforts and share lessons learned.” — Colonel Scott Humr, Science & Technology Division Chief, JIATF-401
Louise Chapman, Portfolio Senior Marketing Manager of SAE Media Group, commented, “Colonel Humr’s perspective is exactly what our delegates come to Washington to hear: a clear, direct view of where U.S. counter-UAS priorities are heading and how industry can contribute.”
Counter UAS Technology USA brings together 285+ senior military, government and industry leaders from 16 nations over three days to examine operational requirements, emerging technologies and procurement pathways in the fight against hostile UAS.
