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Panel

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

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:45 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, SES

    Portfolio Acquisition Executive
    Robotic and Autonomous Systems

  • RDML Keith A. Hash, USN

    Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division
    Assistant Commander for Test and Evaluation, Naval Air Systems Command

  • 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.