Drone Dominance Symposium

NOVEMBER 19-21, 2025 | NATIONAL HARBOR, MD
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November 20, 2025 • National Harbor, MD
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

TechConnect and ATI proudly present the inaugural Drone Dominance Symposium, a focused gathering of innovators, technologists, government leaders, and end-users shaping the future of uncrewed systems. This new symposium explores the evolving role of drones in defense, dual-use, and commercial applications—highlighting key advances in autonomy, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), counter-UAS, tactical resupply, swarming technologies, and more.

Through the Drone Dominance Challenge, the symposium will spotlight breakthrough innovations and capability gaps in contested environments, with a focus on operational utility, scalability, and rapid deployment.

Through curated panels, technology pitches, and networking sessions, the Drone Dominance Symposium will serve as a launchpad for collaboration between industry, government, and research communities—accelerating the development and integration of next-generation drone technologies for mission-critical success.

View Challenge Register to Attend

Topics

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS Operations: Airspace Deconfliction and Collision Avoidance
AI-Augmented Waiver and Approval Systems
Supply Chain and Domestic Manufacturing
Counter-UAS: Detection, Security, and Data Links
Launch and Control Solutions

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Wednesday, November 19
1400-1800	Defense TechConnect Expo Open Featuring Army xTech Pavilion, SBIR/STTR Tabletops, and Smart Cities Connect. Prince George Exhibit Hall B, C
1600-1800	Defense TechConnect Expo and Poster Session, Drone Dominance Symposium, Army xTech Pavilion, and Smart Cities Connect Welcome Social. Prince George Exhibit Hall B, C
Thursday, November 20
0900-1000	Drone Dominance Symposium Welcome Remarks and Defense TechConnect Keynotes featuring VLC, 3B Protection, Michigan Capital Network, Geodesic Capital, and DARPA (invited). Woodrow Wilson A
1030-1130	Commercial Drones in Support of National Security Woodrow Wilson C. A distinguished panel of commercial drone companies provide perspectives on the opportunities and challenges in developing drone technology for the DOW. John Stough, Chief Solution Architect and Board Member, VLC John Piasecki, President and CEO, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Peter Schmidt, COO, Transcend Air Corporation Tom Ballenger, VP, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Berry Aviation
1130-1215	Beyond Infrastructure: Government Innovation for Mission Readiness and Military Wellbeing (joint programming with Defense TechConnect). Woodrow Wilson B In today’s defense environment, mission readiness and military wellbeing rely on more than equipment or training -they depend on the condition and responsiveness of the environments where service members live, work, and train. This session explores how military installations are leveraging Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) to rapidly address infrastructure challenges and unlock new opportunities for innovation. James Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer, Fractional Source David Leinberger, Chief, Army Community Partnerships Robb Reid, Chief Revenue Officer, Sourcewell Matt Borron, Executive Director, Association of Defense Communities John Kliem, Federal Strategy and Digital Innovation Officer, Johnson Controls Federal Systems
1330-1415	$50K Drone Dominance Innovation Challenge I. Woodrow Wilson C. The inaugural Drone Dominance Innovation Challenge, sponsored by VLC and ATI, features breakthrough innovations with a focus on operational utility, scalability, and rapid deployment. The top 3 ranked innovators will share a prize of $50K. View the Pitch Program here
1430-1530	$50K Drone Dominance Innovation Challenge II and Prize Announcement. Woodrow Wilson C. The inaugural Drone Dominance Innovation Challenge, sponsored by VLC and ATI, features breakthrough innovations with a focus on operational utility, scalability, and rapid deployment. The top 3 ranked innovators will share a prize of $50K. Join us as we announce the top 3 award winners! View the Pitch Program here
1600-1800	Defense TechConnect Expo, Drone Dominance Symposium, Army xTech Pavilion, and Smart Cities Connect Expo Social. Prince George Exhibit Hall B, C. Network with attendees and celebrate with the Drone Dominance Innovation Challenge Winners and Finalists!

Defense TechConnect is the nation's largest innovation matchmaking program aligned with national technology priorities and federal funding opportunities.

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All Department of Defense speakers are subject to budget travel changes.
*Participation by any United States Federal Agency in any TechConnect activity or event does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any cosponsor, donor, grantee, contractor or participant’s opinions, products, or services.

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