Unmanned Systems West

Dear [Supervisor’s Name],

I respectfully request approval to attend ACI’s 5th Annual Unmanned Systems West on September 8–9 in San Diego. This summit provides a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders, research institutions, and defense contractors who are shaping the future of unmanned systems, directly impacting our mission readiness and national security posture.

Attending will allow me to:

• Support Mission Readiness and Strategic Planning – Receive timely briefings on Department of Defense and Service Branch priorities for unmanned and autonomous systems across all domains. This includes updates on acquisition timelines, AI/ML-enabled platforms, emerging counter-UAS capabilities, and joint integration strategies critical to national defense modernization efforts.
   
• Enhance Acquisition and Program Planning Strategies – Understand supply chain risks, manufacturing challenges, and funding constraints that affect program execution, enabling more informed decision-making.
   
• Strengthen Public-Private Collaboration – Engage in discussions with DoD stakeholders, prime contractors, and technology developers to address challenges in testing, fielding, and integrating unmanned capabilities into current and future operations.
   
• Prepare for Future Defense Requirements – Stay ahead of technology roadmaps, acquisition strategies, and investment priorities to ensure alignment with national security objectives and evolving threats.
   
• Expand Interagency and Industry Networks – Build critical relationships with policy leaders, defense laboratories, and private-sector partners, fostering a more cohesive approach to unmanned systems development and deployment.

The intelligence and connections I gain from this summit will directly support our branch/agency’s strategic initiatives by ensuring we remain informed on the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in unmanned technology. I will compile a post-event briefing to share key insights with our team and identify actionable takeaways that support our mission.

The cost of my attendance breaks down as follows:

Expense	Quick Tips	Cost
Registration Cost	Military/Government Pricing	$
Flight	Use an online travel service to get a quick estimate	$
Logging	Discounted hotel rooms using ACI Room Block Code. Check out the venue page for more information	$
Transportation	Taxi? Car rental? Super Shuttle? Car sharing service?	$
Food Per Diem	The Summit fee includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres. Evening meals are not included.	$
Subtotal		$
Total Number Attending
Subtotal x Number of Employees = TOTAL		$

I appreciate your consideration and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

Best regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Rank/Title]
[Your Branch/Agency]