Confronting the Threat of UAS from the Homeland to the BattlefieldAugust 19 - 20, 2025 | Washington DC
Main Day 1
CUAS Day 1
8:00 - 9:50
EST
Morning Registration and Networking
8:50 - 9:00
EST
Chairperson Opening Remarks
9:00 - 9:30
EST
KICKOFF PANEL DISCUSSION: THE WAY FORWARD ON CUAS AUTHORITIES
David Shank -
Former Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School,
US Army
Queron Thompson - Manager, UAS Program Design and Analytics Division, UAS & Emerging Entrants Secu, FAA
Scott Parker - Branch Chief, Advanced Threats Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security
Steven Willoughby - Deputy Director, C-UAS PMO, Department of Homeland Security
- Legal Frameworks: Insights into the diverse legal frameworks governing CUAS operations.
- Policy Challenges: Discuss the complex policy challenges around CUAS Authorities
- Operational Realities: Discuss the complexities of integrating CUAS capabilities into existing defense and security frameworks.
Queron Thompson
Manager, UAS Program Design and Analytics Division, UAS & Emerging Entrants SecuFAA
Scott Parker
Branch Chief, Advanced Threats Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)Department of Homeland Security
9:30 - 10:00
EST
THE ENGAGEMENT ECONOMICS OF CUAS
Leo McCloskey -
Vice President, Marketing,
Echodyne Corp.
- Autonomy is becoming more and more real
- How the engagement economics has become a fundamental consideration of CUAS
- A look at layered systems, sensors, & effectors; both defensive & offensive, relative to cost
- What CUAS systems are likely to be fielded first in volume
10:00 - 10:30
EST
PANEL DISCUSSION: DOJ CUAS AUTHORITIES AND AQUISITION / PROCUREMENT
David Shank -
Former Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School,
US Army
Kevin M. Jinks - Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice
Kevin Gearhart - Chief, Office of Security Technology, Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Legal Frameworks: Insights into the diverse legal frameworks governing CUAS operations.
- Policy Challenges: Discuss the complex policy challenges around CUAS Authorities
- Acquisition and Procurement: Discuss the acquisition and procurement processes of your office and what you are looking for in the near future.
10:30 - 11:00
EST
NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK
11:00 - 11:30
EST
FUTURE TRENS IN KINETIC C-UAS: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND TACTICS
David Letters -
Air Domain Policy Advisor,
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
- Emerging Technologies: Discuss emerging tech such as electric weapons, autonomous systems, and advanced munitions, highlighting their capabilities and applications in CUAS.
- Tactical Adaptations and Operational Tactics: Discuss how advancements in tech are driving changes in operational kinetic tactics against UAS.
- Integration and Interoperability Challenges: Discuss the importance of interoperability standards, data sharing protocols, and collaborative planning processes in maximizing CUAS ops.
11:30 - 12:00
EST
FROM BIRDS TO BATTLEFIELD: EVOULTION OF CUAS TECHNOLOGY
Bob Moll -
Business Development Manager,
Robin Radar Systems
Kristian Brost - General Manager, North America, Robin Radar Systems
- Historical background and expertise in bird detection radars/small object detection
- Transition to CUAS radar development
- Technological advancements and integration of Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and machine learning (ML) for enhanced UAS tracking and classification
- Improvements are driven bby customers feedback
- Lessons learned from rigorous testing by the UK National Technical Authority for Physical and Personnel Protective Security (NPSA), Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (S&T), NATO TIE, and combat operations in Ukraine
12:00 - 12:30
EST
EXPLORING THE ROLE OF DEVCOM AVIATION AND MISSILE CENTER IN ADVANCING CUAS
Chappell Ray -
Deputy Capability Area Lead, Air & Missile Defense (A), DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center,
US Army
- Highlight DEVCOM’s expertise in research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of cutting-edge solutions for defense applications.
- Highlight the command's role in providing technical expertise, test and evaluation support, and validation services to solution providers, ensuring the efficacy and interoperability of CUAS solutions.
- Explore how the DEVCOM IPT contributes to integration efforts, enabling seamless communication, data sharing, and decision-making across the CUAS ecosystem.
- Address the challenges posed by the convergence of unmanned systems (UxS) with traditional defense platforms.
Chappell Ray
Deputy Capability Area Lead, Air & Missile Defense (A), DEVCOM Aviation and Missile CenterUS Army
12:30 - 13:30
EST
LUNCH AND NETWORKING BREAK
13:30 - 14:00
EST
FIRESIDE CHAT: NAVIGATING KINETIC CAPABILITES AND PROCUREMENT TRENDS IN CUAS DEFENSE
David Shank -
Former Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School,
US Army
- Explore current landscape of kinetic solutions for CUAS, including trends in technology development, development strategies, and effectiveness in mitigating UAS risks.
- Analyze the prevailing trends and challenges in CUAS procurement, acquisition strategies, vendor selection criteria, and budgetary considerations.
- Anticipate what we need to be prepared for in the realm of CUAS. Considering advancements in UAS technology, regulatory developments, and the evolving threat landscape. Strategies for enhancing readiness and agility to be prepared for future CUAS defense needs effectively.
14:00 - 14:30
EST
FIRESIDE CHAT: EXPANDING INTEGRATED AIR DEFENSE TO THE TACTICAL EDGE
David Shank -
Former Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School,
US Army
Dane Pigott - Chief Executive Officer, Kinard Technologies
· Small unit formation role and how to empower small unit defense.
· Role of kinetic options in tactical Counter-UAS
· Enhanced capabilities stemming from real-time digital collaboration and integration.
14:30 - 15:00
EST
PANEL DISCUSSION: US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION FUTURE ACQUISITIONS AND PROCURMENT CHALLENGES
Steven Willoughby -
Deputy Director, C-UAS PMO,
Department of Homeland Security
Craig Doheny - Acquisition Program Manager, Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Customs and Border Protection
- Discuss navigating complex regulatory frameworks governing federal acquisitions, including compliance with FAR and other procurement rules.
- Examine strategies for optimizing resource allocation, prioritizing acquisition projects, and securing funding in a competitive budgetary environment.
- Explore strategies for streamlining acquisition processes while ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, minimizing delays, and optimizing resource allocation.
- Analyze the challenges associated with vendor selection, including assessing vendor capabilities, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring supply chain security.
Craig Doheny
Acquisition Program Manager, Counter Unmanned Aircraft SystemsCustoms and Border Protection
15:00 - 15:30
EST
NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK
15:30 - 16:00
EST
PANEL DISCUSSION: COUNTER-DRONE OPERATIONS IN URBAN ENVIROMENTS: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
David Shank -
Former Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School,
US Army
DJ Smith - Technical Surveillance Agent, High Tech Crimes Division, Bureau Of Criminal Investigations, Virginia State Police
Sergeant Adam Wright - Emergency Operations Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Special Agent James Peaco - Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator, Federal Bureau of Investigation Los Angeles
Mitchell Roberts - C-UAS Engineer, Support Contractor, National Urban Security Technology Laborator, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate
- Detection and Identification Challenges: Examine the limitations of existing technologies in urban settings, such as buildings, electromagnetic interference, noise, etc. Explore innovative solutions for improving detection and identification capability in such environments.
- Mitigation Strategies and Regulatory Considerations: Discuss the legal and ethical implications of deploying kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures in populated areas. Importance of coordinating with local authorities
- Urban Environment Dynamics: Explore issues such as limited air space, high population density, complex terrain, which can affect detection, tracking, and interception.
DJ Smith
Technical Surveillance Agent, High Tech Crimes Division, Bureau Of Criminal InvestigationsVirginia State Police
Special Agent James Peaco
Weapons of Mass Destruction CoordinatorFederal Bureau of Investigation Los Angeles
Mitchell Roberts
C-UAS Engineer, Support Contractor, National Urban Security Technology LaboratorDepartment of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate
16:15 - 16:45
EST
ALLEVIATING RISKS IN CUAS: THE IMPACT OF CHINESE DRONE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY ON NATIONAL SECURITY
Grant Jordan -
Chief Executive Officer,
SkySafe
16:30 - 17:00
EST
COUNTERING UAS THREATS AT LARGE PUBLIC GATHERINGS: CASE STUDIES AND LESSONS LEARNED
G.B. Jones -
Chief Safety and Security Officer,
FIFA World Cup 2026
- Strategy & Planning: Discuss the strategy when combating the threat that is UAS. What different planning measures are implemented for large gatherings.
- Case Studies: Discuss case studies experienced in the realm of CUAS. Past instances where UAS was a threat to a large public gathering.
- Lessons Learned: What are the key takeaways from past UAS threats? Discuss lessons learned from these instances and how you plan on preventing them in the future.
