Hypersonic Weapons & Emerging Technologies Summit

The 5th Annual Hypersonic Weapons & Emerging Technologies Summit is organized by American Conference Institute (ACI) as part of its Defense Series.

The conference focuses on hypersonic weapons, next-generation missile defense, and enabling technologies shaping high-speed precision warfare. The program addresses U.S. hypersonic programs, deterrence, propulsion and materials, counter-hypersonic defense, testing, integration, sensing, tracking, and collaboration among the Department of Defense, national laboratories, academia, and industry.

The conference will take place November 17-18, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville in Huntsville, Alabama.

The summit is designed for U.S. military and government personnel, defense industry professionals, contractors, researchers, engineers, acquisition and program leaders, and academic specialists working in hypersonics and missile defense. Attendance is limited to United States Government personnel, U.S. contractors and academia, and NATO allies, and the summit is closed to press.

The conference brings together the defense and aerospace community, including military and government organizations, defense contractors and suppliers, technology companies, research institutions, national laboratories, and academia. Participants work across hypersonic weapons, missile defense, propulsion, sensing and tracking, testing, materials, acquisition, and related enabling technologies.

Topics include U.S. hypersonic programs such as Dark Eagle, hypersonic defense and missile integration, strategic deterrence, propulsion and materials, counter-hypersonic defense, sensing and tracking, AI and machine learning, testing and validation, acquisition and technology transition, and government-industry collaboration.

Attendees will gain insight into U.S. hypersonic programs and defense priorities, evolving global threats, and technologies supporting high-speed precision strike and missile defense. They will also examine developments in propulsion, materials, sensing, tracking, AI-enabled systems, testing, integration, acquisition, and the transition of emerging capabilities to operational use.

The faculty includes senior defense and industry leaders, missile-defense and program advisors, government officials, researchers, engineers, and university experts. Current speakers work in areas including strategic and surface warfare systems, missile defense, space systems, offensive fires, advanced hypersonics, materials science, aerospace simulation, and hypersonic technology development.

Organizations represented on the current faculty include Anduril Industries, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), OPNAV N96, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Hy-SET, The University of Texas at Arlington, University of Arizona, USNORTHCOM/J31, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, U.S. Navy, Missouri University of Science and Technology, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, and U.S. Army.

The summit provides opportunities to connect with senior defense officials, engineers, contractors, military and government personnel, researchers, and industry professionals. The program includes networking breaks and luncheons, sponsor and exhibitor introductions, and a Day 1 networking cocktail reception.

Group discounts are available for qualifying team registrations. Please refer to the conference website for the latest group registration rates and eligibility details.

For the most up-to-date information on delegate substitutions and cancellations for American Conference Institute events, please review the Delegate Substitutions and Cancellation policy.

A limited number of rooms are available at a negotiated rate at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville. Delegates should contact the hotel directly and quote “OCODE=E213W”; the guest-room block cut-off date is October 17, 2026, and availability and the negotiated rate are not guaranteed after that date or once the block fills.

CLE, CPD, and CME credit availability is not specified. Please refer to the conference website for the latest information.