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Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA 2024
September 23 - September 25, 2024
Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA 2024

Secure your place at the 3rd annual Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA Conference, taking place in Arlington, VA, from September 23 to 25, 2024.

As North America's leading conference for the unmanned maritime systems community, this is your opportunity to help lead the way on integrating unmanned assets into the US Navy.

Key topics to be discussed include:

•  Unmanned Surface Vessels
•  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
•  Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
•  AI & Autonomy
•  System Testing & Integration
•  Acquisition Timelines
•  Industry & Military Collaboration

Don't miss out – this is only your chance to attend an event with exclusive unmanned maritime focus. You’ll benefit from the representation you would expect at a trade show but with networking opportunities exclusive to an intimate gathering.

 

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Rear Admiral Buzz Donnelly

Rear Admiral Buzz Donnelly

Director, Air Warfare Division, OPNAV N98
Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg

Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg

Reserve Deputy Commander, US Pacific Fleet
Vice Admiral (Ret.) John

Vice Admiral (Ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller

Former Commander, US Navy Central Command and President and CEO, The Fozzie Miller Group
Vice Admiral James Pitts

Vice Admiral James Pitts

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, OPNAV N9

Amitai Peleg

CEO, Sealartec
Amitai Peleg

Amitai Peleg, has carved a distinguished career path in the field of autonomous marine systems, currently leading as the Co-Founder and CEO of Sealartec Ltd. Under his guidance since 2018, Sealartec specializes in innovative Launch & Recovery systems, setting new standards in autonomy and precision at sea.

Before establishing Sealartec, Amitai served as an independent marine engineering consultant led to groundbreaking projects with prestigious clients like Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Gilat Satellite Networks. His work focused on autonomous marine vessels, underwater automation systems for open sea aquaculture, and satellite antenna design for maritime environments.

From 2008 to 2012, Amitai excelled as a Mechanical Engineer at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, where he led mechanical design and engineering teams for autonomous naval craft, demonstrating his prowess in system and detail design alternatives, work plan writing, and international manufacturing oversight.

His early career (2004–2008) at Puzzle Projects LTD saw him leading operational teams for autonomous vessels, defining algorithms for vessel behavior, and authoring technical literature in both English and Hebrew.

Amitai's academic background is as impressive as his professional journey. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Energy from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, where he was a Dean's List honoree.
His military service in a special naval unit from 1997 to 2002 laid a robust foundation for his career in defense and engineering.

Beyond his professional achievements, Amitai is an avid surfer, a hobby that not only connects him deeply with the sea but also reflects his passion for exploring and interacting with the marine environment. This love for surfing complements his professional work, where innovation and the challenges of the sea are constant.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley

Former DASN UxS and Vice President, Defense Acquisition University
Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley

CAPT USN (Ret.) Jeffery Hoyle

Vice President, Maritime, Elbit America
CAPT USN (Ret.) Jeffery Hoyle

 Jeff Hoyle leads Elbit Systems of America Maritime Business Segment, focusing on
innovative capability development and delivery for the Surface and Undersea Warfare
communities. Prior to joining Elbit America, he served as Vice President for Federal
Programs at Scalable Network Technologies, a leading provider of network digital twin
capabilities, Advanced Maritime Programs Director for Northrop Grumman Aerospace
Systems, a leading provider of military autonomous systems, and Director of
Technology and Navy Programs for AtHoc, a leading provider of crisis communications
solutions. While on active duty, Captain Hoyle supervised all aspects of US Navy
operations on five submarines and one aircraft carrier, including command of USS
MAINE (SSBN 741) and ten deployments to forward operating regions on missions vital
to national security. As a Defense Acquisition Program Manager, he led development
of submarine exterior communications systems and joint tactical networking capabilities
for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture from the US Naval Academy, a
Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and a
Master of Product Development from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
California. He and his wife, Brigid, met on a bike trek in Hawaii supporting the American
Lung Association, and they currently reside and ride together in Amelia Island, Florida
and Solana Beach, California

Captain (Ret.) Jason Weed

Former Commodore, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron ONE UUVRON-1, US Navy
Captain (Ret.) Jason Weed

Captain Antonio Mourinha

Director of the Naval Operational and Experimentation Centre , Portuguese Navy
Captain Antonio Mourinha

Captain Chad F. Hennings

Commanding Officer, US Navy
Captain Chad F. Hennings

 Capt. Chad Hennings was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Berwyn, Illinois, and Lucerne, Indiana. After receiving a degree in aerospace engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, he received his commission at Officer Candidate School in December 1994.

After the initial training pipeline, his sea tours included USS Toledo (SSN 769), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) (GOLD), USS Columbia (SSN 771), and USS Hampton (SSN 767). He commanded the USS Nevada (SSBN 733) (GOLD) and USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) (BLUE).

Throughout his sea tours, he has supported several Western Pacific and Mediterranean deployments and conducted nine strategic deterrent patrols. Many of the teams he served with earned Battle Efficiency “E” awards. His shore tours include staff positions at Submarine Squadron TWO, Submarine Squadron SEVENTEEN, Submarine Squadron NINETEEN, and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

During his shore tours, he also earned a master’s degree in modeling, virtual environments and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master’s degree in national policy and strategic studies from the Naval War College.

In September 2017, he became an acquisition professional and served as the head of Requirements and Testing for the PMS 397 Columbia-class program and as the deputy program manager for PMS 415, Undersea Defensive Weapons Systems. He recently completed a tour as program manager of PMS 401, Submarine Acoustic Systems.

He currently resides in Newport, Rhode Island, with his wife Caroline (originally from Worcester, Massachusetts) and their five children.

Christopher Baker

Regional Sales Manager North America, Maritime Robotics
Christopher Baker

Christopher Page

Deputy Director, OPNAV N2N6Q & Naval Intelligence Chief Information Officer , US Navy
Christopher Page

 Mr. Christopher Page began his present assignment, his fourth as a Senior Executive, as
the Deputy Director of OPNAV’s Intelligence Division (N2N6Q) and Navy’s
Intelligence Chief Information Officer (CIO) in October 2020. In that position, he is
primarily responsible for the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE)
of the intelligence capabilities and systems required to satisfy Navy’s mission
requirements and for ensuring Navy’s intelligence systems integrate and interoperate
effectively and securely with the Intelligence Community Information Environment (IC
IE).
Prior to becoming a Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) in 2014, Mr. Page served
for more than twenty-six years as an active duty Navy officer. Commissioned in 1988
at University of Virginia’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, he began his
service as a Surface Warfare Officer and then became an Intelligence Officer. Sea tours
included duties as a Midshipman on USS JAMES MADISON (SSBN-627) and
TRUXTUN (CGN-35), Combat Information Center Officer on USS REID (FFG-30), and
Intelligence Officer on USS PELELIU (LHA-5) and RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76).
Shore tours involved duties as a Systems Requirements and Plans Officer for European
Command’s Joint Analysis Center, Project Manager within the Joint Deployable
Intelligence Support Systems (JDISS) Program Office, Collection Manager for Central
Command, Program Manager of JDISS, Commanding Officer of Hopper Information
Services Center, and Navy’s Deputy Director of Assured Command and Control.
After becoming a DISL, Mr. Page served first as Navy’s Director of Assured Command
and Control on the OPNAV staff and then as the Office of Naval Intelligence’s (ONI)
Assistant Chief of Staff for Command, Control, and Communications (N6) before
becoming the Naval Intelligence Activity’s (NIA) Command Information Officer (IO).
Mr. Page earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Virginia in 1988
and a master’s degree (with honors) in IT Management from the Naval Postgraduate
School in 1996. He is the recipient of number personal, professional, and unit awards
and the holder of a professional certificate in Data Science. He is a member of the Naval
Intelligence Professionals and Association for Computing Machinery

Commander Dave Couchman

C-UAS Lead, OPNAV Disruptive Capabilities Office
Commander Dave Couchman

Commander David Edwards

N9 Technology and Innovation Director, US Fourth Fleet
Commander David Edwards

Commander John Walters

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division Chief, USCG
Commander John Walters

Commander Kevin Schrodt

Requirements Officer, Navy Expeditionary Combat (OPNAV N957)
Commander Kevin Schrodt

 A native of Satellite Beach, Florida, Commander Schrodt
graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering.
Kevin commissioned into the Explosive Ordnance
Disposal warfare community and completed pipeline
training in 2011.
Afloat, Commander Schrodt performed two platoon
commander tours at EOD Mobile Unit TWELVE in
Virginia Beach, VA in the mobility and Naval Special
Warfare (NSW) mission areas from 2011 to 2015. During this time he deployed with
CCSG-12 to the Arabian Gulf and with SEAL Team FOUR to various locations
throughout the EUCOM and AFRICOM AORs in support of the Global War on
Terrorism. From 2015 to 2018, CDR Schrodt served as a Technical Support Group
Commander at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, supporting multiple combatant
commands with CWMD search capabilities and expertise. From 2018 to 2021, Kevin
served as a Troop Commander and Operations Officer for the Joint Special Operations
Command where he deployed two times to the CENTCOM AOR. From April 2022 to
September 2023, CDR Schrodt served as the Executive Officer at EOD Mobile Unit
ELEVEN in San Diego, CA where he deployed to the Fifth Fleet AO as the Deputy
Commander for CTG 56.1/52.3.
Ashore, CDR Schrodt attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI from 2021 to
2022, earning a Master of Arts degree in Defense Analysis and Security Studies and,
in parallel, completed the requirements for Joint Professional Military Education
Phase I. From October 2023 to June 2024, Kevin served as a Fleet Product Director at
PMS 408 for the Underwater EOD portfolio.
CDR Schrodt is currently the EOD and Expeditionary MCM Requirements Officer at
OPNAV N957.
Commander Schrodt’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service
Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple unit and service awards. Kevin
holds a Master of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Systems
Engineering. He is married to a prior Naval aviator and has five children.

Daniel Buress

Program Manager, National Air Security Operations Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Daniel Buress

Dorothy Engelhardt

Director, Unmanned Systems DASN Ships, US Navy
Dorothy Engelhardt

Dr Christopher Ekstrom

Deputy Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, Technical Director OPNAV N2N6EB, Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy
Dr Christopher Ekstrom

 Dr. Ekstrom serves as Deputy Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy for the Deputy Chief of
Naval Operations for Information Warfare. He also serves as the Technical Director to the
Oceanographer. This programmatic and technical portfolio includes naval oceanography;
meteorology; and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT).
Before coming to OPNAV, Dr. Ekstrom served as the Head of Requirements and R&D for
Precise Time and Astrometry (N8/N9) at the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), leading planning
and programming activities across all areas of precise time generation and dissemination as well
as astrometric products that support DoD-wide missions.
Prior to serving as USNO N8/N9, Dr. Ekstrom led the Clock Development Division at USNO.
Starting in 1996, he led the development of advanced atomic clocks for the Department of
Defense Master Clock. The resulting clocks, called rubidium atomic fountains, are the most
stable continuously operating clocks in the world.
Dr. Ekstrom received his Ph.D. in Experimental Atomic Physics from MIT in 1994 and his B.S.
in Physics from the University of Washington in 1988. After graduate school, he held an
Alexander von Humboldt fellowship performing research in Germany for two years, followed by
a one year appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Dr. Ekstrom has received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Award, the AFCEA/USNI Copernicus
Award, and the U.S. Naval Observatory Simon Newcomb Award. He holds DAWIA
certifications in both Program Management and Science and Technical Management. Dr.
Ekstrom has published more than 35 papers and proceedings in the areas of atomic physics, atom
and quantum optics, and atomic clock development.

Dr Craig Sawyer

Chief of Staff, Office of Strategic Assessment, The Pentagon
Dr Craig Sawyer

Dr Greg Avicola

Program Manager, No Manning Required Ship NOMARS Program, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
Dr Greg Avicola

 Dr. Gregory Avicola joined DARPA in May 2019 as a program manager in the Tactical Technology Office. Areas of expertise include remote sensing (focus on maritime applications), undersea systems, and naval warfare. He is particularly interested in naval logistics, developing capabilities to exploit undersea mobility, improving both manned and unmanned undersea systems, and enabling undersea autonomous systems.

Prior to joining DARPA, Avicola was principal professional staff at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he held numerous roles. He provided technical oversight on multiple projects, as well as a number of operational studies for the U.S. Navy and other government customers. He also ran a portfolio of advanced technology anti-submarine warfare programs, supporting DARPA and the Advanced Undersea Technology Office.

Avicola holds a Doctor of Philosophy in physical ocean science and engineering and a Master of Science in physics, from the University of Delaware, as well as a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of California, San Diego.

Dr Kenneth Plaks

Director, Tactical Technology Office, DARPA
Dr Kenneth Plaks

 Dr. Ken Plaks is director of the Tactical Technology Office, a role he assumed in June 2023.

He previously serviced as director of the agency’s Adaptive Capabilities Office, where he managed several highly collaborative efforts to create new joint warfighting constructs and doctrine. He also has served as deputy director of DARPA's Strategic Technology Office (STO) and from December 2021 to February 2022, served as acting director of STO. Prior to that, he was a program manager in the Microsystems Technology Office. His research interests include stealth aircraft, electronic warfare, weapons research, and cybersecurity.

Plaks retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2014, where he was the Air Force director for special programs. Prior to that, he commanded the Air Force's largest test squadron.

Plaks was the top academic graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 with bachelor's degrees in physics and mathematics. He was a Hertz Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a master's degree in physics in 1991. After a break for military service, he finished his doctorate in physics as a Hertz Fellow at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2003.

Erik Seidelmann

Application Engineering Lead, Current Scientific Corporation
Erik Seidelmann

 Erik Seidelmann has a strong background in safety, testing, and reliability. He gained experience at Tesla, working on the development and testing of electric vehicles, and later joined FortisBC, focusing on the reliability of energy infrastructure. In 2020, Erik brought his expertise to Current Scientific Corporation, becoming the leader of the Application Engineering team. Here, he ensures that CURRENT's Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) solutions meet customer and market needs while advancing the company's technology offerings.

Holli Foster

Chief Technology Officer, TF59
Holli Foster

James Day

Deputy Director, Surface Warfare Division, OPNAV N96
James Day

Jeremiah Gilbreath

Group BD Director, Reach Subsea USA
Jeremiah Gilbreath

Jeremiah is currently the Director of Reach Subsea Americas. Jeremiah has more than 25 years’ experience working in international business development, commercial management and marine operations with a focus on subsea IMR, survey and construction.

Marc Dalby

Director, Advanced Concepts Group, Leonardo DRS - Naval Electronics
Marc Dalby

Nadav Libhaber

Director of Partnerships, Windward
Nadav Libhaber

Nadav Libhaber is a maritime expert, with more than 15 years of experience in the maritime domain, specializing in analyzing behavioral phenomenons related to seaborne smuggling, IUU fishing, and weapons and human trafficking among others

Rear Admiral Buzz Donnelly

Director, Air Warfare Division, OPNAV N98
Rear Admiral Buzz Donnelly

 Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly is a
native of Kent Island, Maryland. He is a
1989 graduate of Villanova University and
was commissioned via the Naval Reserve
Officer Training Corps. He is also a 2002
graduate of the Naval War College in
Newport, Rhode Island.
As a naval flight officer, Donnelly made
deployments flying the F-14A/B/D Tomcat
and F/A-18F Super Hornet. He served as
commanding officer for Strike Fighter
Squadron 154 (VFA-154); the last
commanding officer of USS DENVER
(LPD 9) forward deployed to Sasebo,
Japan; commanding officer of USS
RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) forward
deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and commander of Task Force SEVEN ZERO / Carrier Strike Group FIVE permanently embarked onboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).
Ashore, Donnelly served on the International Military Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and two tours with the Air Warfare Directorate (N88/N98), OPNAV Staff, Pentagon, as Naval Aviation’s F/A-18 Requirements officer and as Aircraft Carrier Requirements branch head. He also served as the 37th commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Commander, Navy Region Korea. Donnelly assumed the duties of Director, Air Warfare (N98), OPNAV Staff, Pentagon on 4 August 2023.

Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg

Reserve Deputy Commander, US Pacific Fleet
Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg

 Rear Adm. Eric Ruttenberg is a native of Redondo Beach, California. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was commissioned in 1988. He holds a Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1990 and authorized to wear the Information Warfare Officer (Space Cadre) pin in 2011.

His initial sea duty assignment was to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven (HC 11), where he flew the UH/HH-46 and deployed aboard USS Flint (AE 32) during Desert Storm and aboard USS Kansas City (AOR 5) in support of Operations Southern Watch and Restore Hope. Later he served at Fleet Composite Squadron Six (VC 6) in Patuxent River, Maryland as the safety department head, flying the Pioneer Unmanned Airborne Vehicle.

Ashore, Ruttenberg served as deputy director, Integrated Overhead SIGINT Architecture, Phase II Program Office, Technology Division at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. In a subsequent tour, he served as executive officer of Navy Reserve (NR) Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) 0366 in Chantilly, Virginia. He then served as the Space and Network Warfare Program (SNWP) Manpower and Operations director. Additionally, he served as U.S. Special Operations Command deputy J6X, supporting the acquisition of a multi-mission communication architecture supporting both special operations and intelligence organizations.

His command tours include NR SPAWAR 0366 and NR SPAWAR 0866, supporting the SPAWAR Space Field Activity in Chantilly, Virginia; NR SPAWAR 0466, supporting the Program Executive Office for Space and the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office in San Diego, California; Commander, Naval Information Forces Reserve, Region Washington District of Columbia; and commander NR SPAWAR HQ as the director of the SPAWAR Reserve Program in San Diego, California.

Previous flag officer assignments include the reserve director for maritime operations, United States Pacific Fleet, chief engineer, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command and the Deputy Program Executive Officer (PEO) Enterprise Information Systems. Ruttenberg assumed the responsibilities as the Reserve Deputy Commander, United States Pacific Fleet in October 2023. In this capacity, he supports the Director and Commander in the functional areas of intelligence, operations, theater security cooperation, deliberate and functional planning, communications, training and Reserve affairs.

Ruttenberg was the recipient of the 2003 Space and Network Warfare Program Junior Officer of the Year Award. Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards.

Richard Jenkins

CEO, Saildrone
Richard Jenkins

 Richard Jenkins developed Saildrone’s core
technology over a 10-year period, driven by a goal
to break the world land-speed record for wind powered vehicles. He ultimately achieved that
record on March 26, 2009, setting a speed of 126.2
mph on a dry lake bed in Nevada. Richard later
moved to San Francisco and continued his legacy
of innovation and world-first accomplishments in
the ocean, applying the same now-patented wing
technology to an uncrewed wind-powered sailing
vehicle, which became Saildrone.
Since Saildrone’s first science mission in 2015,
Saildrone has worked tirelessly to accurately deliver
high-quality science data from Earth’s most remote
oceans. In 2020, Saildrone successfully completed
a demonstration of Maritime Domain Awareness
(MDA) capabilities for the US Coast Guard, which
led to the development of the 10 m (33-foot)
Saildrone Voyager, specifically designed to meet
the challenges of ISR (intelligence, surveillance,
reconnaissance), IUU (illegal, unreported, and
unregulated) fishing, counter smuggling, safety of
life at sea (SOLAS), and border and harbor security.
Richard designed the 20 m (65-foot) Saildrone
Surveyor for deep-water ocean mapping. The
Surveyor is the only autonomous platform capable of
performing International Hydrographic Organization
(IHO)-compliant bathymetry surveys to depths of
11,000 m (36,000 ft).
In another world first, Richard successfully sent
a 7 m (23-foot) Saildrone Explorer into the eye of
Category 4 Hurricane Sam in September 2021 to
collect scientific measurements that could transform
our understanding of hurricane forecasting. The
accomplishment demonstrated beyond doubt the
resiliency of the Saildrone platform in the most
extreme ocean environments on the planet.
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet began operating a group of
Saildrone USVs in December 2021 to demonstrate
that Saildrone can provide persistent presence in a
dynamic maritime environment.
Other notable milestones Richard accomplished
using Saildrone USVs include:
• The first uncrewed vehicle to sail from San
Francisco to Hawaii
• The first uncrewed vehicle to cross the Atlantic
• The first uncrewed vehicle to circumnavigate
Antarctica
• The first uncrewed bathymetric survey mission
from San Francisco to Hawaii
Richard has a degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Imperial College London and is an avid sailor and pilot.

Vice Admiral (Ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller

Former Commander, US Navy Central Command and President and CEO, The Fozzie Miller Group
Vice Admiral (Ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller

Vice Admiral James Pitts

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, OPNAV N9
Vice Admiral James Pitts

 Vice Adm. James Pitts, a native of Milton, Florida, is a 1986 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Following his first sea tour, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master’s degree in National Security Affairs.

At sea, his first submarine assignment was aboard USS Grayling (SSN 646). Additionally, he was temporarily assigned to USS Plunger (SSN 595) for a Western Pacific deployment, where he qualified in submarines. Follow-on assignments include: navigator on USS Hammerhead (SSN 663); combat systems officer on USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709); and executive officer of USS Tucson (SSN 770). His at-sea command assignments were as commanding officer of USS Tucson (SSN 770) and commander, Submarine Squadron Seven.

His shore and staff assignments include: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, N87 Submarine Warfare Division; prospective executive officer instructor at Naval Submarine School; deputy commander for Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) Three; Program and Budget Branch chief on the Joint Staff; Strategic Studies Group CNO Fellow; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, N8 Staff as the Planning, Programming & Development Branch head; executive assistant to N9; Undersea Warfighting Development Center, as Commander; and commander, Submarine Group Seven/Commander, Task Force 74/Commander, Task Force 54 in Yokosuka, Japan. Most recently, Pitts served as director, Warfare Integration, on the staff of the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He assumed duties as the DCNO for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities in December 2023.

VADM Pitts’ awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.

Exciting 2024 Update: Unmanned Surface Vessel Focus Day!

In response to unprecedented USV R&D, testing and acquisition activity, the brand new USV Focus Day offers an opportunity for exclusive discussions regarding the US Navy's strategy on unmanned surface vessels. Hear from and network those responsible for the hybrid surface fleet including the Surface Warfare Division, PEO USC, PMS 406 & NSWC.

Day 1 Main Conference:

Kicked off by Vice Admiral James Pitts’ keynote as the CNO’s supported commander for unmanned integration, discover a day filled with unparalleled strategic and operational insight from organizations including DARPA, the DCO, US Fourth Fleet, Task Force 59 and USMC to ensure you know exactly where the US Navy is heading and that your missions are aligned. 

Day 2 Main Conference:

An opening address from Vice Admiral Daniel Dwyer precedes briefs from the Undersea Warfare Division, Expeditionary Combat Branch, Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security alongside international representation from the UK, Germany, Portugal and NATO HQ to guarantee all perspectives, and opportunities, are represented.
 

“From the check-in process and through the range of exceptional speakers and briefers, this was an amazing gathering of UAV/USV/UUV professionals from a wide spectrum of gov’t and industry.” - PEO IWS

sponsors

Build invaluable connections that may serve as the driving force behind your next significant breakthrough!

This three-day event is your gateway to interacting with key stakeholders spanning military, government, and industry, offering a comprehensive exploration of the future of naval warfare.

Enter the VIP lane for hybrid fleet integration, gaining significant alignment advantage and ensuring that your solutions and capabilities are front of mind for those in a position to acquire them.

“Great event and I appreciate being a part of the team for this event. Was beneficial to me (new contacts and conversations with those uneducated on Silvus capabilities).” - Silvus Technologies, Returning 2024 Sponsor

To discuss your involvement as a sponsor contact Nick Jordacijevic, Sponsorship Sales Manager on (+1) 646 829 0804 or nick.jordacijevic@saemediagroup.com.

Conference agenda

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8:30

Registration & Coffee

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9:20

Chairman's Opening Remarks

Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley

Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley, Former DASN UxS and Vice President, Defense Acquisition University

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9:30

Leveraging Unmanned Surface Vessels to Enhance the Capabilities of the US Navy’s Surface Fleet

James Day

James Day, Deputy Director, Surface Warfare Division, OPNAV N96

 • The future role of USVs in the US Naval Surface Fleet
• Launching the LUSV procurement program as part of N96’s
FYDP
• Enabling the rapid coding, testing and fielding of new surface
capabilities
• Providing industry with the “longest set of headlights possible”
on future acquisition priorities

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10:00

Saildrone Lessons Learned from USV Deployments at Scale

Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins, CEO, Saildrone

• Capability overview
• Lessons learned from persistent global deployments
• Recommendations for future evolution and integration

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10:30

Morning Coffee

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11:15

The Role of DASN Ships in Enabling USV Integration

Dorothy Engelhardt

Dorothy Engelhardt, Director, Unmanned Systems DASN Ships, US Navy

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11:45

Autonomous Recovery Systems - Unlocks the Future for USV & UUV

Amitai Peleg

Amitai Peleg, CEO, Sealartec

  • Brief overview of Launch and Recovery world wide endeavors
  • Review of the main challenges and of autonomous recoveries
  • Sealartec’s approach for autonomous recovery technology
  • An interoperability approach for deploying, retrieving and supplying USVs and UUVs between multiple hosting platforms
  •  

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    12:15

    Networking Lunch

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    13:15

    Enabling New Concepts of Operations through DARPA’s No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) Initiative

    Dr Greg Avicola, Program Manager, No Manning Required Ship NOMARS Program, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)

     • Designing an MUSV from the ground up to eliminate human
    associated constraints and enable novel configurations and
    capabilities
    • Developing new approaches for power generation, propulsion,
    machinery line-up and control schemes to ensure continuous
    functionality
    • Enabling the deployment and maintenance of large fleets of
    USVs to complement larger crewed combatants
    • The Tactical Technology Office’s future plans to support the
    development of USVs

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    13:45

    A Perspective from the Hill on USV Acquisition

    Eric Lofgren

    Eric Lofgren, Seapower and Acquisition Policy, Senate Armed Services Committee

    • Updates on legislative and fiscal landscape
    • Question marks or concerns for oversight
    • Pathways to scaling USVs and UUVs into the Navy

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    14:15

    Afternoon Tea

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    15:00

    Panel Discussion: Integrating USVs into US Naval Operations

    Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley

    Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley, Vice President, Defense Acquisition University

    Richard Jenkins

    Richard Jenkins, CEO, Saildrone

    Jason Weed

    Jason Weed, Commodore, UUVRON-1

    David Edwards

    David Edwards, N9 Technology and Innovation Director, US Fourth Fleet

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    15:45

    Chair’s Closing Remarks and Close of Focus Day

    Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley

    Brigadier General (Ret.) Frank Kelley, Former DASN UxS and Vice President, Defense Acquisition University

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    8:00

    Registration & Coffee

    clock

    8:50

    Chair's Opening Remarks

    Vice Admiral (Ret.) John

    Vice Admiral (Ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller, Former Commander, US Navy Central Command and President and CEO, The Fozzie Miller Group

    clock

    9:00

    OPNAV N9’s Work to Accelerate UxS Innovation Efforts

    Vice Admiral James Pitts, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, OPNAV N9

     • Aligning acquisition requirements, financial management and
    operational communities in support of unmanned adoption
    • Adopting enabling technologies capable of both providing
    near-term capability enhancements and supporting long term
    initiatives
    • Laying the foundations for the future hybrid fleet in response to
    shifting global threat dynamics

    clock

    9:30

    Building the Air Wing of the Future through the Integration of Unmanned Assets

    Rear Admiral Buzz Donnelly, Director, Air Warfare Division, OPNAV N98

     • Developing new unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the
    Navy’s air wing of the future concept
    • Deploying systems to operate and perform mission tasks in high
    threat environments
    • Fielding attritable, low cost UAS assets as to build mass and
    assist the establishment of a distributed C2 network
    • Bringing in an unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft to operate
    further from carriers and extend the range of the existing air
    wing

    clock

    10:00

    Computational Innovations Driving AI for Unmanned Systems at the Edge

    Marc Dalby

    Marc Dalby, Director, Advanced Concepts Group, Leonardo DRS - Naval Electronics

     • Cloud computing has evolved to prioritize big data and AI as strategic workloads.
    • Edge computing is also being revolutionized by the widespread adoption of AI.
    • Deploying powerful AI applications for unmanned maritime platforms will require modular XPU and system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions to help solve domain-specific issues.
    • Autonomous unmanned maritime platforms can deploy scalable commercial data center and edge architectures to reduce costs and streamline upgrades

    clock

    10:30

    Morning Coffee

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    11:00

    U.S. Fourth Fleet: Theater of Unmanned Systems Innovation

    Commander David Edwards

    Commander David Edwards, N9 Technology and Innovation Director, US Fourth Fleet

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    11:30

    Maritime Domain Attritable Autonomy (MDA2)

    CAPT USN (Ret.) Jeffery Hoyle, Vice President, Maritime, Elbit America

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    12:00

    Developing and Demonstrating Revolutionary Unmanned Maritime Systems at DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office

    Dr Kenneth Plaks, Director, Tactical Technology Office, DARPA

    clock

    12:30

    Networking Lunch

    clock

    13:30

    Attacking Urgent C-UAS Challenges with Urgency Disruptive Capabilities Office

    Commander Dave Couchman

    Commander Dave Couchman, C-UAS Lead, OPNAV Disruptive Capabilities Office

     • Eliminating bureaucratic and process hurdles across the Navy to ensure targeted and relevant development and deployment of unmanned systems
    • Rapidly delivering warfighter capability through the innovative
    application of existing unmanned systems
    • Working collaboratively to deliver solutions at pace and scale
    through rapid experimentation and prototyping
    • Closing the fleet’s most critical capability gaps and identifying areas for future innovation

    clock

    14:00

    Live Virtual Address: Achieving the US Navy’s Strategic Vision of Accelerating Autonomy

    Dr Craig Sawyer

    Dr Craig Sawyer, Chief of Staff, Office of Strategic Assessment, The Pentagon

    clock

    14:30

    Deploying and Leveraging Unmanned Systems for Expeditionary Combat Operations

    Commander Kevin Schrodt, Requirements Officer, Navy Expeditionary Combat (OPNAV N957)

     • Current capabilities and success with of Mk-18 family of systems
    • Expeditionary UAS family of system for EOD and NCF rapid area
    reconnaissance
    • Next Generation UUVs – Lionfish and Viperfish to be employed
    by ExMCM Companies
    • Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) EOD ROV

    clock

    15:00

    Maritime Robotics: Enabling Ocean Space Autonomy

    Christopher Baker

    Christopher Baker, Regional Sales Manager North America, Maritime Robotics

    clock

    15:30

    Afternoon Tea

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    16:00

    Making the Invisible Visible: Operational Planning for Effective Asset Deployment

    Nadav Libhaber, Director of Partnerships, Windward

     • Context and background: Non-emitting vessels are often involved in smuggling and are difficult to detect; dhows in CENTCOM, Panga boats or semi-submersibles in SOUTHCOM, and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels in INDOPACOM.


    • Windward’s AI-powered behavioral analytics risk model can detect the vessels that interact or are likely to interact with such “invisible” vessels and pinpoint where unmanned assets should be deployed to improve interception chances.


    • Windward’s Approach for Operational Planning and Prioritization - how to decide where to deploy assets - a workflow demonstration


    • Windward’s Approach for Investigating Leads with Tipping and Cueing - w workflow demonstration.


    • Generating more leads: Reverse engineering a sequence of activities to find targets for investigation and analysis of this pattern of activity.


    • Conclusions: the traditional approach of geofencing is insufficient, effective use of unmanned assets relies on smarter tipping and cueing.

     

    clock

    16:30

    Task Force 59 and Task Group 59.1: Pioneering Operationally Deployed AI Enabled Autonomous Systems

    Holli Foster

    Holli Foster, Chief Technology Officer, TF59

    clock

    17:00

    Chairman’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day One

    Vice Admiral (Ret.) John

    Vice Admiral (Ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller, Former Commander, US Navy Central Command and President and CEO, The Fozzie Miller Group

    clock

    8:20

    Registration & Coffee

    clock

    8:50

    Chair's Opening Remarks

    clock

    9:00

    Enhancing Unmanned Maritime Capabilities in the Pacific Fleet

    Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg, Reserve Deputy Commander, US Pacific Fleet

    • Establishing a second operational USV squadron to complement USVRON
    • Fully integrating and deploying capabilities within specific operational environments
    • Conducting Integrated Battle Problem 24.1 to generate further insight into UxS operational capacity
    • Expanding unmanned capacity in support of the establishment of a true hybrid fleet

    clock

    9:30

    Naval Undersea Warfare Centre — Research and Development, Testing and Evaluation for Autonomous Underwater Systems

    Captain Chad F. Hennings, Commanding Officer, US Navy

     • Ensuring Underwater Superiority through Unmanned Systems
    • Researching and Developing UUV’s
    • Testing and Evaluating UUV’s

    clock

    10:00

    Optimizing Situational Awareness: Multi-Sensor Fusion, Thermal Imaging Advancements, and AI Insights

    Erik Seidelmann, Application Engineering Lead, Current Scientific Corporation

    - Optimizing Sensor Performance in Remote and Unmanned Operations
    - AI in Maritime Systems: Separating Myth from Reality
    - Leveraging Optical Advancements into Practical Applications
    - Integration of Multi-Sensor Systems for Enhanced Situational Awareness
    - Multi-Sensor Fusion for Advanced Threat Detection

    clock

    10:30

    Morning Coffee

    clock

    11:00

    Naval Oceanography: At the Leading Edge of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

    Dr Christopher Ekstrom, Deputy Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, Technical Director OPNAV N2N6EB, Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy

    • METOC’s role and experience in operating long endurance UUVs
    • Insights garnered from the operation of over 200 unmanned systems for over 20 years
    • Current and future METOC priorities with UUVs
    • Importance of a data strategy in UUV operations and future acquisitions

    clock

    11:30

    Reach Remote

    Jeremiah Gilbreath, Group BD Director, Reach Subsea USA

    clock

    12:00

    Networking Lunch

    clock

    13:00

    Panel Discussion: UxS Integration in Practice

    Captain (Ret.) Jason Weed

    Captain (Ret.) Jason Weed, Former Commodore, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron ONE UUVRON-1, US Navy

    Rear Admiral Eric Ruttenberg, Reserve Deputy Commander, US Pacific Fleet

    Erik Seidelmann, Application Engineering Lead, Current Scientific Corporation

    Captain Chad F. Hennings, Commanding Officer, US Navy

    clock

    13:30

    Leveraging Unmanned to Empower Naval ISR

    Christopher Page, Deputy Director, OPNAV N2N6Q & Naval Intelligence Chief Information Officer , US Navy

    clock

    14:15

    Live Updates from REPMUS 24

    Captain Antonio Mourinha

    Captain Antonio Mourinha, Director of the Naval Operational and Experimentation Centre , Portuguese Navy

     • Latest updates from operational testing at REPMUS 24
    • Insight into Portuguese Navy and NATO stakeholder priorities
    • Future plans for testing exercises and industry collaboration

    clock

    14:45

    Afternoon Tea

    clock

    15:15

    Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Border Protection

    Daniel Buress

    Daniel Buress, Program Manager, National Air Security Operations Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

    • Maritime Security Applications
    • Border Security Applications
    • Integration into the US National Airspace

    clock

    15:45

    Leveraging UAS to Assist US Coast Guard Missions

    Commander John Walters

    Commander John Walters, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division Chief, USCG

    clock

    16:15

    Chair’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day Three


    Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities
    OPNAV N9
    Director, Air Warfare Division
    OPNAV N98
    CEO
    Sealartec
    Former DASN UxS and Vice President
    Defense Acquisition University
    Vice President, Maritime
    Elbit America
    Former Commodore, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron ONE UUVRON-1
    US Navy
    Director of the Naval Operational and Experimentation Centre
    Portuguese Navy
    Commanding Officer
    US Navy
    Regional Sales Manager North America
    Maritime Robotics
    Deputy Director, OPNAV N2N6Q & Naval Intelligence Chief Information Officer
    US Navy
    C-UAS Lead
    OPNAV Disruptive Capabilities Office
    N9 Technology and Innovation Director
    US Fourth Fleet
    Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division Chief
    USCG
    Requirements Officer
    Navy Expeditionary Combat (OPNAV N957)
    Program Manager, National Air Security Operations Directorate
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    Director, Unmanned Systems DASN Ships
    US Navy
    Deputy Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, Technical Director OPNAV N2N6EB, Chief of Naval Operations
    US Navy
    Chief of Staff, Office of Strategic Assessment
    The Pentagon
    Program Manager, No Manning Required Ship NOMARS Program
    DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
    Director, Tactical Technology Office
    DARPA
    Application Engineering Lead
    Current Scientific Corporation
    Chief Technology Officer
    TF59
    Deputy Director, Surface Warfare Division
    OPNAV N96
    Group BD Director
    Reach Subsea USA
    Director, Advanced Concepts Group
    Leonardo DRS - Naval Electronics
    Director of Partnerships
    Windward
    Reserve Deputy Commander
    US Pacific Fleet
    CEO
    Saildrone
    Former Commander, US Navy Central Command and President and CEO
    The Fozzie Miller Group

    Gold Sponsor

    Sponsors

    Exhibitors

    Supporters

    Past Speaker Presentation - Mr. Richard Ast

    Download

    Past Speaker Presentation - Commodore Darron Kavanagh

    Download

    Past Speaker Presentation - Dr. Chris R. Ekstrom

    Download

    Past Speaker Presentation - Captain Ryan Ventresca

    Download

    Past Speaker Presentation - Commodore Colin Corridan

    Download

    Past Speaker Presentation - Captain Chad F. Hennings, USN

    Download

    Sponsors and Exhibitors


    Leonardo DRS, Inc.

    Gold Sponsor
    http://www.LeonardoDRS.com

    Headquartered in Arlington, VA, Leonardo DRS, Inc. is an innovative and agile provider of advanced defense technology to U.S. national security customers and allies around the world. We specialize in the design, development and manufacture of advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion, and other leading mission-critical technologies. Our innovative people are leading the way in developing disruptive technologies for autonomous, dynamic, interconnected, and multi-domain capabilities to defend against new and emerging threats. For more information and to learn more about our full range of capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com.


    Sponsors


    Current Scientific Corporation

    Sponsors
    http://www.currentcorp.com

    CURRENT is a Canadian innovative leader of cutting-edge electro-optical infrared technology. Our systems integrate with either HD or SD cooled and uncooled sensor, and a HD day camera. They offer flexibility for the integration of additional sensors such as laser dazzlers, laser range finders, and short-wave infrared capabilities. Our flagship product, the Panoramic HD IR system not only redefines surveillance with its unparalleled 360° capabilities, but also adds a touch of innovation to the world of entertainment. It ensures optimal performance and security in diverse environments. We ensure our clients stay at the forefront of technological advancement in an ever-evolving landscape.



    Elbit Systems of America

    Sponsors
    https://www.elbitamerica.com/

    Elbit Systems of America, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, law enforcement, commercial aviation, and medical instrumentation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Elbit Systems of America is dedicated to supporting those who contribute daily to the safety and security of the United States. We are a market leader for medium and small UAS, as well as loitering munitions, capable of providing the warfighter with advanced, cost-effective surveillance and precision strike capabilities in a single platform and is intended to overcome the challenge of multi-domain operations. The platform has the capability to detect, track and strike moving or static targets in varied weather conditions and across complex terrain. Elbit Systems of America, LLC is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications. For additional information, visit: www.ElbitAmerica.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram



    MARITIME ROBOTICS

    Sponsors
    https://www.maritimerobotics.com/

    MARITIME ROBOTICS WAS FOUNDED with an initial aim to develop autonomous control systems for uncrewed aerial and surface vehicles. This remains the core-technology of our uncrewed vessels and product portfolio today.

    Since Maritime Robotics was established in 2005, we have been at the forefront of developing innovative Autonomous Navigation Systems and Uncrewed Vessels for marine data acquisition. Our focus on Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) integrated with various maritime sensors and systems has led us to create a versatile range of vessels, designed for a variety of environments from calm to sheltered waters, to the challenging conditions of the open sea.



    Saildrone

    Sponsors
    http://www.saildrone.com/

    Saildrone technology is revolutionizing how navies and law enforcement agencies obtain the real-time, accurate data needed to monitor and protect our seas. Purpose-built defense and security payloads enable accurate, dynamic, and confident decisions and responses to the full spectrum of maritime threats and challenges. In mission after mission, Saildrone has served the eyes and ears of the maritime domain, enabling navies to more efficiently use low-density / high-demand manned assets, prioritize resources, and out-compete adversaries. Saildrone’s fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, are designed to scale ocean data collection with a minimum carbon footprint. Saildrone vehicles operate 24/7/365 without the need for a crewed support vessel and have sailed more than 1,300,000 nautical miles from the High North to the Southern Ocean and spent over 42,000 days at sea in the harshest ocean conditions on the planet.



    Sealartec

    Sponsors
    http://www.sealartec.com

    Sealartec stands at the forefront of marine innovation, offering a suite of fully Autonomous Launch & Recovery Systems (ALRS) tailored for the uncrewed (and crewed) marine vessel market. From early stage, our singular focus has been to address and master the complexities of autonomous recovery – a critical bottleneck for the advancement of marine autonomy. Our dedication to research and development has created proven systems capable of executing autonomous recoveries in challenging sea conditions, allowing a wide operational envelope for the users to actually use their autonomous systems. Our technology transcends traditional launch and recovery solutions; we answer the basic recovery needs of surface vehicles including autonomous stern ramp and side recovery, and UUV recovery robots. Beyond the essential, our systems are designed for autonomous refueling, charging, data transfer, and more, making Sealartec not just a supplier but a holistic partner for those navigating the autonomous marine vehicle domain. Whether serving the defense sector, oil and gas industries, or marine research, our experience and agile approach to innovation ensures we deliver unparalleled value and performance.



    Windward

    Sponsors
    http://windward.ai/

    Windward enables leading intelligence and defense agencies worldwide to revolutionize operational decision-making and workflows, from military-grade MDA visibility, through patented behavioral analysis, to early anomaly detection – all via a simple API integration or SaaS application. Windward's (LON:WNWD) patented predictive intelligence AI-driven models automatically identify behavioral outliers by continuously analyzing datasets and predicting evolving risks. Identifying anomalies before they evolve into threats increases investigation efficiency and provides unprecedented domain knowledge in a common operating picture. Protect Borders & Critical National Infrastructure: Users can screen incoming vessels for behavioral anomalies and potential smuggling risk indicators in real-time, identify and monitor long-distance fishing vessels and supporting fleets, and uncover ownership networks and connections. Optimize Strategic Planning: Discover the ‘unknown-unknowns’ and enhance risk predictions by tracking vessels throughout their lifetime with patented entity resolution resistant to identity spoofing, and deepen geopolitical expansion understanding with visibility into the entire IUU fishing supply chain. Enhanced Operational Visibility via Multi-Source Intelligence: Enhance tipping and cueing operations by combining predictive intelligence and remote sensing technology. By overlaying satellite imagery on a map with vessel positions and activities layers, quickly investigate operations and track areas over time, to assess changes to coastlines, ports, and open waters


    Exhibitors


    Forum Energy Technologies

    Exhibitors
    https://f-e-t.com/

    Forum Energy Technologies (FET) Subsea is a leading provider of subsea related products and services. FET’s extensive product line focuses on remote intervention technology with the capability to provide everything from a world class subsea trencher to tooling and individual components such as thrusters. The Perry® and Sub-Atlantic® range of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), tether management systems, tooling and components is one of most comprehensive and highly rated in the industry. Other subsea technology products include Dynacon winches, launch and recovery systems (LARS); Moffat engineering and subsea connectors; VMAX™ simulation software; and VisualSoft data acquisition software.


    IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.)

    Exhibitors
    http://iainorthamerica.com/

    IAI – Where Courage Meets Technology. A leader in defense, aerospace, and commercial markets, IAI leverages state-of-the-art technology and decades of combat-proven experience delivering solutions to your national defense and security challenges. Delivering large turnkey projects, IAI acts as a prime contractor, subcontractor, and team members in dozens of large programs for the aerospace, land, sea, and cyber domains and multi-domain applications. We offer a vast portfolio producing air and missile defense, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ground robotics, precision-guided weapons, and loitering munitions. We deliver special-mission aircraft, modernize military aircraft and helicopters, and convert passenger jets into cargo aircraft through modification, conversion, and system integration. Our technology expertise features systems and solutions from reconnaissance satellites and radars to all aspects of command, control, and communications, computing and cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems (C5ISR).



    SeaSatellites, Inc.

    Exhibitors
    http://seasats.com/

    Seasats is a manufacturer and operator of persistent, low-logistics uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Founded in San Diego in 2020, the company is driven by a team with experience at U.S. Navy Special Operations, the USMC, MIT, Harvard, Blue Origin, and more. Seasats' flagship product, the Lightfish, has built a reputation as a reliable workhorse for customers including Task Force 59, Navy Special Warfare, NIWC, and others.



    Silvus Technologies

    Exhibitors
    http://silvustechnologies.com

    Silvus Technologies develops advanced MIMO technologies that are reshaping broadband wireless connectivity for mission critical applications. Backed by an unmatched team of PhD scientists and design engineers, its technologies provide enhanced wireless data throughput, interference mitigation, improved range, mobility, and robustness to address the growing needs of its government and commercial customers. Silvus has demonstrated an aggressive product development cycle, with a focus on continually improving the size, weight, power, and cost–while simultaneously introducing next-generation features and capabilities. Silvus’ StreamCaster family of MIMO enabled mesh radio products are designed to address the growing demand for distributing video, voice and high-speed data in harsh tactical environments. StreamCaster radios, featuring MN-MIMO, join together to form a robust, self-healing, self-forming fluid mesh network to provide high-speed, reliable wireless video and data connectivity. Today, Silvus continues to innovate, with an ever-growing line up of R&D contracts, COTS products, and happy customers. The experience gained through our early research efforts made possible the StreamCaster radios, and new concepts currently incubating in our R&D labs will pave the way for tomorrow’s product breakthroughs



    Vatn Systems

    Exhibitors
    https://www.vatnsystems.com/

    Vatn Systems builds affordable autonomous underwater vehicles that act in cooperative swarms, enabling a multitude of new use cases. At the core of Vatn's R&D efforts is advanced navigation software that is effective in GPS, vision, and comms compromised environments while reducing hardware costs.



    Videosoft Global Ltd.

    Exhibitors
    http://www.videosoftglobal.com/

    Videosoft Global is a world-leading provider of ultra-low bandwidth video streaming technology offering reliable, industrial-grade solutions. Our adaptive video compression and transmission technology sets new standards for high-quality, low-latency streaming over wireless networks. Dynamically, adjusting to environments, and switching seamlessly between different networks across satcom, cellular, and mesh. Streaming from 1kbps up to multi-Mb/s full HD, using less data and delivering a high-quality video at any given bitrate, makes Videosoft the best solution on the market today! Leveraging the multiple streams feature enables simultaneous output streams from a single encoder. Our products excel in live video applications in remote environments for monitoring, surveillance, surveys, security and health and safety. We serve the maritime and unmanned industry by providing a cutting-edge real-time video solution that empowers our customers with complete visibility, overcoming even the most demanding connectivity conditions. This brings peace of mind to onshore teams and enables swift responses to critical offshore decisions upholds stringent security standards and mitigates safety risks effectively.


    Media Partners


    Defence Industry Europe

    Supporters
    https://defence-industry.eu/

    Defence Industry Europe is a professional website focusing on the defence industry in Europe and worldwide. Our coverage focuses on the modernization of European armed forces, exploring advancements in defense technology, industry developments, and the evolution of defense businesses and their key players. Additionally, we provide insightful reports on political events at both the European and national levels that significantly impact the defence sector.


    Unmanned Network

    Supporters
    http://unmanned-network.com

    The Unmanned Network connects unmanned stakeholders throughout the extensive unmanned ecosystem - from OEMs, via sub-system manufacturers, service providers, to end-users, and all other relevant parties. Requirements, posted directly by network members, are immediately converted to direct, viable leads to other members of the network with instant access via the unique opportunity module. Whether as a company, or as an individual, and seeking unmanned systems, components, services, consulting, open positions (HR), manufacturing, logistics, training, events and more the network is the perfect platform.


    Unmanned Systems Technology

    Supporters
    http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com

    UST is the largest ecosystem for unmanned systems, technology and innovation. We provide global exposure for +200 industry-leading technical and engineering organisations, allowing them to gain maximum visibility of their innovations, products and capabilities in front of an audience of +1.2million visitors each year. We do this via a winning combination of intelligent digital marketing and advertising techniques, high exposure in search engines for relevant technology. Get in touch to find out how we can support you.


    ASD MEDIA

    Supporters
    http://www.asd-network.com

    Professionals in the Aerospace & Defence market use the ASD Media internet platforms to:
    • Be informed on the latest market developments; www.asd-network.com
    • Find the latest business news; www.asd-network.com
    • Find the upcoming events; www.asd-network.com
    • Find companies and organizations; www.asdsource.com
    • Distribute news globally. www.asdwire.com
    The ASD Media platforms are well known and used intensively, your company is able to benefit from these large numbers of users. Be informed with ASD-Network; Create exposure for your company with ASDSource, distribute your news with ASDWire or advertise with us, build your brand and increase traffic to your company’s website.

    For more detailed information please contact with: ASD MEDIA
    Stefan.koopman@asdmedia.nl


    C-UAS Hub

    Supporters
    http://cuashub.com

    This information hub for Counter-UAS and airspace awareness content includes news, original articles, vendors, products, services, events, multimedia content, and a comprehensive reference library. This site is an excellent resource for professionals from the defense, public safety, government, academia, critical infrastructure, corporate security, and private security sectors.


    Defence Global

    Supporters
    http://barclaymedia.uk.com/

    Defence Global provides an essential link between the Defence & Security Manufacturers and Suppliers, Government and Military sectors globally. Defence Global is a quarterly, tri-service publication providing articles and informative analysis from respected journalists and writers worldwide to attract a sophisticated and broad audience. Defence Global is published in February, May, August and November, with a professional and stylish design in both printed copy and digital format. The printed copies are perfect bound, full colour throughout with high quality art and photography. Defence Global is used as a reference tool providing a professional and intelligent read. We work with industry experts and corporate clients to include Defence and Security Manufacturers and Suppliers, as well as Governments, MoDs, Military Authorities and Senior Management Teams.


    EchoBlue Media Group

    Supporters
    http://www.echoblue.co.uk/



    Aerospace & Defense Technology

    Supporters
    http://www.aerodefensetech.com/

    For the past 12 years, Aerospace & Defense Technology has been the mil/aero industry’s most trusted source for cutting-edge design and engineering information. Whether it’s in-depth feature articles on the hottest technology topics, application briefs that illustrate innovative uses of products and systems, tech briefs that describe how specific technologies are developed, or new product information that highlights the latest releases to the market, Aerospace & Defense Technology has the resources engineers need to do their jobs better.


    Soldier Modernisation

    Supporters
    http://www.soldiermod.com

    Soldier Modernisation (SoldierMod.Com) is an authoritative policy and technology publication for the international defense community, serving the integrated equipment needs of the dismounted soldier and marine in operations today and the fielding of Soldier Modernisation Programmes over the next few years. SoldierMod.Com is designed to provide insights into how decision makers plan to transform operations in the areas of survivability, sustainability, C4I, lethality and mobility; managing the balance between the promise of 'leap-ahead technology balance and mature cost effective solutions. SoldierMod is distributed in many formats which will include an 50 page journal 10,000 copies BPA Audited, twice annually , in January and June Our Website www.soldiermod.com , Has a 24 hour news service , anytime ( currently at over 20,000 individual visits per month ) . We also have an online technical forum where anyone in the industry can ask us strategic or technological questions , our partners and experts will respond directly back.


    Global Defense Insight

    Supporters
    https://defensetalks.com/


    Hilton Arlington

    950 North Stafford Street
    Arlington VA 22203
    USA

    Hilton Arlington

    HOTEL BOOKING FORM

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    WHAT IS CPD?

    CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development’. It is essentially a philosophy, which maintains that in order to be effective, learning should be organised and structured. The most common definition is:

    ‘A commitment to structured skills and knowledge enhancement for Personal or Professional competence’

    CPD is a common requirement of individual membership with professional bodies and Institutes. Increasingly, employers also expect their staff to undertake regular CPD activities.

    Undertaken over a period of time, CPD ensures that educational qualifications do not become obsolete, and allows for best practice and professional standards to be upheld.

    CPD can be undertaken through a variety of learning activities including instructor led training courses, seminars and conferences, e:learning modules or structured reading.

    CPD AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

    There are approximately 470 institutes in the UK across all industry sectors, with a collective membership of circa 4 million professionals, and they all expect their members to undertake CPD.

    For some institutes undertaking CPD is mandatory e.g. accountancy and law, and linked to a licence to practice, for others it’s obligatory. By ensuring that their members undertake CPD, the professional bodies seek to ensure that professional standards, legislative awareness and ethical practices are maintained.

    CPD Schemes often run over the period of a year and the institutes generally provide online tools for their members to record and reflect on their CPD activities.

    TYPICAL CPD SCHEMES AND RECORDING OF CPD (CPD points and hours)

    Professional bodies and Institutes CPD schemes are either structured as ‘Input’ or ‘Output’ based.

    ‘Input’ based schemes list a precise number of CPD hours that individuals must achieve within a given time period. These schemes can also use different ‘currencies’ such as points, merits, units or credits, where an individual must accumulate the number required. These currencies are usually based on time i.e. 1 CPD point = 1 hour of learning.

    ‘Output’ based schemes are learner centred. They require individuals to set learning goals that align to professional competencies, or personal development objectives. These schemes also list different ways to achieve the learning goals e.g. training courses, seminars or e:learning, which enables an individual to complete their CPD through their preferred mode of learning.

    The majority of Input and Output based schemes actively encourage individuals to seek appropriate CPD activities independently.

    As a formal provider of CPD certified activities, SAE Media Group can provide an indication of the learning benefit gained and the typical completion. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the delegate to evaluate their learning, and record it correctly in line with their professional body’s or employers requirements.

    GLOBAL CPD

    Increasingly, international and emerging markets are ‘professionalising’ their workforces and looking to the UK to benchmark educational standards. The undertaking of CPD is now increasingly expected of any individual employed within today’s global marketplace.

    CPD Certificates

    We can provide a certificate for all our accredited events. To request a CPD certificate for a conference , workshop, master classes you have attended please email events@saemediagroup.com

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