Panel

Outpacing the Threat: Fielding Unmanned Systems for the High-end Fight

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PT

Location: Defense in Depth Stage - Hall A

Confirmed Moderator(s)

Bryan Clark

Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Hudson Institute

Confirmed Speaker(s)

Rebecca Gassler

Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Robotic and Autonomous Systems
VADM Elizabeth Okano, USN

Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition
Adam Tsacoumangos

Executive Director, Phantom Works Air Dominance, The Boeing Company

Unmanned systems are rapidly transforming the battlespace, offering new capabilities to detect, deter, and defeat adversaries in the high-end fight. This panel brings together senior Navy leaders, acquisition officials, and defense experts to examine how the U.S. is accelerating the development, integration, and fielding of unmanned platforms across the Sea Services.

Panelists will discuss emerging concepts, acquisition strategies, and operational innovations that enable unmanned systems to complement manned forces, increase lethality, and expand maritime domain awareness.