National Congress on Counter-UAS Technology 2026

The Leading West Coast Forum on C-UAS Innovations for Military, Government, Civil & Commercial

March 18-19, 2026 - San Diego, CA, United States

Understanding the Latest in C-UAS Innovations and Technologies for Military, Government, Civil & Commercial Sectors

Rogue drone incursions are no longer rare - they're routine. From airport shutdowns to rising fears of espionage and sabotage, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are reshaping the threat landscape across commercial, civilian, and military sectors. Staying ahead demands more than awareness – it requires decisive action.

Now in its fourth year, the Counter-UAS Technology Congress is coming to the West Coast at a pivotal moment. This highly interactive summit offers a trusted, closed-door forum for real-time intelligence sharing and strategic collaboration across the global counter-UAS community.

Held under Chatham House Rule, the event ensures candid dialogue with no media or press in attendance. All participants are strictly vetted; certain citizens are not admitted to the conference.

Key Topics

  • JIATF 401: A New Era in Counter-UAS Strategy, Acquisition, and Interagency Integration
  • How Is the U.S. Army Driving Innovation in Counter-UAS Capabilities Across the Force?
  • Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb: Strategic Lessons from the New Era of Drone Warfare
  • Federal Investigative Strategies for Airspace Security and Hazardous Payloads
  • Does the U.S. Air Force Need to Rethink Its Counter-UAS Approach?
  • Shrinking the “Detect–Identify–Defeat” Window: Accelerating Response in Multi-Domain C-UAS Operations

Key Features of the National Congress on Counter-UAS Technology

Expert Led Panel Discussions
Explore the forefront of innovation by participating in our panel discussions where thought leaders come together to share insights, strategies, and collaborative solutions on topic such as: National Air Space Plans Emerging Policies, Counter-UAS Law, Policy and Innovation, Army Joint Counter sUAS Office Training and Doctrine and more.

Keynote Presentations
Discover the future of CUAS at our exclusive Keynote presentations. Delve into the insights and perspectives provided by the DOT regarding the current state of sUAS integration into the NAS and the current & emerging counter drone technology solutions along with our 2nd Keynote focusing on cutting-edge advancements in counter sUAS capabilities tailored for border protection.

Unmatched Networking Opportunities
Seize the opportunity to expand your professional network where like-minded individuals and industry trailblazers come together to foster connections, share insights, and explore collaborative possibilities in the ever-evolving landscape of innovation.

Top Organizations that have Attended Include:

  • AFRL IFGA
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • Federal Air Marshal Service
  • Joint C-sUAS Office, US Army
  • National Air & Space Intelligence Center
  • U.S. Air Force
  • U.S. Army
  • U.S. Army PEO STR
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • U.S. Navy
  • Accra Initiative
  • Aerovigilance
  • Defence Research & Dev. Canada
  • D-Fend
  • Fox Rothschild LLP
  • General Atomics
  • Leonardo Electronics US
  • SCI Technology Inc
  • WhiteFox Defense


This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the leading minds in hypersonic research! I loved the panels and discussions on current challenges and progress, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and questions from the group during the Warfighter Integration panel. I look forward to attending this conference again next year!

Joint Innovation & Experimentation Division U.S. Navy, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM J81)

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a great and extremely informing conference. You definitely put together one of the best conferences this year with the right blend of industry, SME’s, and end users that allowed for some amazing conversations.

Technical Surveillance Agent, Virgina State Police

The speakers were a perfect mix of senior leaders and decision makers and technical experts making the Congress an especially beneficial event for all participants and attendees. I came away with a much deeper understanding of the growing capabilities and concerns in UAS and counter-UAS research, development, and deployment.

Chief, Weapons Sciences Division, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

An exceptionally valuable conference on a complex and critical topic, continuing to meet the high expectations… I learned a lot from the presenters, the audience questions, and the networking opportunities.

CEO, Founder URSA Inc

Speakers
Co-Chair

  • Neil Zerbe, CEO Aerospace & Defense Industry Partners

Speakers

  • Sean W. Haglund, Associate Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Infrastructure Security Division/Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP)
  • Lewis E. Monroe III, Associate Administrator and Chief, Defense Nuclear Security National Nuclear Security Administration
  • Bhavanjot Singh, Executive Director (A) Weapons and Software Engineering Center, DEVCOM AC, U.S. Army
  • William “Liam” McKenna, Chief Counsel FAA
  • Sergeant Robert M. Dooley, UAS Program Coordinator Florida Highway Patrol
  • Professor Kenneth “Mike” Canada, (USN-ret), Program Chair, Associate Professor Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Please fill in your name and email to receive the Agenda of this event.

Venue

Admiral Baker Club House
2400 Admiral Baker Rd, 92124
San Diego, CA, USA

Accommodations
We are pleased to offer our delegates a limited number of hotel rooms at a negotiated rate. To take advantage of these rates, please contact the hotel directly and quote “ACI Counter UAS.”

Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Mission Valley Stadium
3805 Murphy Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92123  |  View map
Reservations: (858) 278-9300
Book Now

Please note that the guest room block cut-off date is January 27, 2026. After that date OR when the room block fills, guestroom availability and rate can no longer be guaranteed.
Event details
Organizer :American Conference Institute
Event type :Conference
Attendance :Physical Event
Reference :ASDE-25819