Defense Strategies Institute (DSI)

Defense Strategies Institute’s 30^th DoW/VA & Government HIT Summit will convene senior leaders, leading experts, and strategic decision makers from across the VA, DHA, DoW, federal government, and relevant industry stakeholders for in-depth discussions on the evolving health IT landscape. This event will highlight how health IT is transforming care delivery, improving patient engagement, and advancing the interoperability, accessibility, and resiliency of Veteran and military healthcare.

The 30^th DoW/VA & Government Health IT Summit will convene leaders from the Department of War (DoW), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), federal government agencies, academia, and industry to advance a seamless, integrated, and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem for Veterans and Servicemembers. Throughout the Summit, speakers will examine current challenges, acquisition priorities, and emerging trends shaping the future of government healthcare IT.

Discussions will focus on overcoming data management barriers, strengthening enterprise-scale IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity and digital capabilities, and expanding innovation initiatives across the VA and DHA. Sessions will also explore the responsible integration of AI to support more personalized care, advancements in digital health experiences, and accelerating agile technology adoption across the continuum of care. Attendees will gain critical insights from health IT leaders while exploring the technologies, policies, acquisition strategies, and collaborative efforts that are transforming Warfighter and Veteran healthcare and improving mission readiness across the federal health enterprise.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of speakers and key decision-makers who are actively shaping the future of government health IT. Join us at the 30th DoW/VA & Government Health IT Summit this October to take part in discussions focused on driving better outcomes in health IT to transform military medicine and Veteran healthcare.

The 6th Annual Military Vehicle Systems Summit, developed in partnership with the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), will convene senior leaders, engineers, and acquisition professionals from across the Military Services, industry, and academia to examine how next-generation ground platforms are conceived, designed, and sustained in an era of rapid modernization and great-power competition. Speakers will discuss platforms such as the XM30 and M-1E3 Abrams, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, SOF mobility platforms, and connected combat vehicles, the program will focus on translating concepts into fielded capability through rapid prototyping, digital engineering, and tighter integration between requirements, S&T, and acquisition communities. It will highlight how formations are preparing for high-intensity ground combat, balancing modernization with readiness, and integrating new vehicles, sensors, and C2 architectures into brigade, division, and joint operations.

The 6th Annual Military Vehicle Systems Summit comes at a pivotal moment for ground combat modernization, as the Department of War and Army accelerate investment and fielding efforts at an unprecedented pace. With the FY 2027 budget request reaching $252.8 billion, major programs such as the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, now entering production, and the M1E3 Abrams upgrade are advancing alongside sustained enhancements to the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle. Bringing together senior leaders from across the military services, industry, and academia, the Summit provides direct access to the decision-makers shaping these efforts. Attendees will gain critical insight into not only what is being funded, but why, with perspectives from organizations including TACOM, DEVCOM, the Marine Corps, USSOCOM, and NIWC on how legacy fleets are modernized while next-generation systems transition from prototype to program of record.

At the same time, 2026 represents an inflection point in how combat vehicles are designed, integrated, and operated. The Summit will explore the Army’s push toward Human-Machine Integrated Formations by 2027, including the integration of unmanned ground vehicles, common robotic controllers, and AI-enabled systems to reduce risk to the warfighter. Core discussions will address digital engineering and digital twins, innovative funding pathways such as Army FUZE and PIT, and industry strategies for rapidly fielding advanced capabilities. With converging timelines across XM30, Abrams, ACV, robotics, and connected vehicle ecosystems, the event offers a unique forum to align requirements, funding, and technology priorities. For professionals spanning vehicle manufacturing, systems engineering, autonomy, power and mobility, and survivability, the Summit delivers both strategic clarity and practical engagement with the people and programs defining the future of ground combat.

DSI’s team specializes in the extensive research and development of summit content and focus areas. We bring together leading experts from the vehicle systems community alongside key policymakers across military and civilian organizations. Our nonpartisan approach enables us to engage across all services and agencies, creating a truly comprehensive forum for decision-makers and solution providers.

Defense Strategies Institute’s Integrated Command and Control (C2) Summit will convene leaders from the military services, federal government, industry, and academia in a collaborative, engaging town hall forum to discuss the integration of military command and control systems across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. The Integrated C2 Summit will explore the modernization of military command and control systems across all domains to achieve information superiority and enable accelerated decision-making

Topics to be covered at the 2026 Summit

• From Prototype to Combat Capability: Next Generation Command and Control
• Delivering the DAF Battle Network: C2 as an Operational Capability
• Connecting Sensor to Shooter: Delivering Decision & Information Superiority
• Advancing the Role of Space for Integrated Command and Control
• Strengthening Network Resilience for C2 in Contested, Degraded Environments
•  The Role of Human-Machine Teaming and AI-Enabled Decision Making

Defense Strategies Institute’s 15th Annual Special Operations Force & Irregular Warfare Symposium will convene senior leaders, leading experts, and strategic decision makers from across the SOF community, regional combatant commands, the DoW, industry, and academia to examine the complexities of unconventional and hybrid warfare strategies, as well as the operational challenges currently facing the SOF enterprise. Discussions will explore force modernization, capability development, irregular warfare strategies, technology integration, and the partnerships required to ensure USSOF remains a globally deployed, high-impact force prepared to counter emerging threats and succeed across future operational environments. 

DSI’s 2nd Loitering Munitions Systems Summit will convene senior military leaders, leading experts, policymakers, acquisition authorities, and innovators to explore the latest advancements and applications in loitering munition systems and technologies to support the Warfighter and national defense objectives. Discussions at the event will provide valuable insights into the evolving global landscape of drone warfare and the associated opportunities and challenges.

The Department of War continues to accelerate the development, acquisition, and deployment of loitering munitions as demand for low-cost, precision strike capabilities grows across the Joint Force. The global loitering munition market is projected to increase from approximately $5.4 billion in 2025 to more than $13 billion by 2030, driven by rapid adoption of autonomous and AI-enabled systems. The widespread employment of one-way attack drones in both the Russia-Ukraine War and the 2026 conflict involving Iran has demonstrated the operational value of loitering munitions for precision strike, suppression of air defenses, and massed attacks against high-value targets. This year’s Summit will highlight how senior leaders from across the DoW, Military Services, Industry, & Academia are working to develop loitering munitions systems and integrate them into offensive and defensive capabilities to keep pace with ever-changing global battlespace. Panels at this year’s iteration will offer attendees insight into discussions surrounding allied nation collaboration to thwart global drone threats, advancements in maritime one-way attack drones, how attritable systems are shaping current global conflict, and looking ahead to future AI integrations into loitering munitions systems.

Topics to be Discussed Include:

• Advancing Army Lethality Through Rapid and Timely Delivery of Loitering Munitions Systems
• Sustaining Marine Corps Precision Strick Capabilities Through the Integration of Loitering Munition Systems
• Keeping Pace with the Modern Global Threat: Allied Collaboration to Maintain Overmatch in Loitering Munition Capabilities
• Leading Loitering Munitions Development and Integration for Advanced Air Force Lethality Against Emerging Global Threats
• The Next Wave of One Way Attack: Developing and Deploying Maritime One Way Attack Drones for the Increased Lethality and Protection of the Surface Fleet
• The New Age of Warfare: Understanding Modern Day Attritable Warfare and the Future of Global Conflict in the Age of Autonomy
• The Future of One Way Attack: Integrating Autonomy and AI into Loitering Munitions

The 9th Annual Military Aviation & Air Dominance Summit will convene senior-level experts and decision-makers from across the U.S. Military Services, the Department of War, International Partners, Acquisition Authorities, and Industry for a Joint Service discussion on strategies, initiatives, and emerging capabilities critical for enhancing lethality and restoring the warrior ethos in pursuit of total air dominance. Amid a dynamic and shifting global landscape shaped by lessons from, Ukraine, and the Middle East, the U.S. Military Services are undergoing a strategic reorientation to maintain and expand air superiority over increasingly sophisticated adversaries, reshaping the balance between manned aviation, unmanned systems, and the divestiture of legacy platforms.

The 11th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase continues to be the premier event in North America for leaders across military, aerospace, and defense 3D printing. This educational and professional development event helps drive active dialogue surrounding the integration of 3D printing technologies across the Joint Force. MILAM 2027 sits at the intersection of industrial policy and national defense, directly answering the National Security Strategy’s call to supercharge the Defense Industrial Base. Your participation helps shape how the U.S. accelerates the adoption of advanced manufacturing capabilities and translates that progress into real Warfighter lethality, readiness, and resilience.

Each iteration, this forum serves as a crucial platform for military, government, international partners and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and strategize on integrating additive technologies. Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore how additive manufacturing (AM) is shaping the future of defense industrial base, by enhancing battlefield lethality and supply chain resilience. Join us to engage in active dialogue, expand your network, & explore diverse industry products and services, that are driving the future of global AM technologies! 

At DSI’s MILAM Summit, attendees can expect to:

Engage with Key Decision-Makers: Participate in high-level discussions on Department of War acquisition priorities, featuring insights from senior military leaders and industry experts. Gain firsthand knowledge of how the DoW is prioritizing additive manufacturing to enhance defense capabilities and maintain competitive advantage.

Explore Cutting-Edge Technology: Discover groundbreaking technological advancements in 3D printing that are shaping the future of military operations. Experience demonstrations and presentations on innovations in additive manufacturing that address current challenges and future needs in military operations.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with military, government, international partners, and industry professionals. This summit provides a platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas, allowing you to build relationships with key stakeholders in the additive manufacturing community.

Access to Diverse Exhibitors: Explore the exhibit floor featuring a wide range of 150+ industry products and services. This showcase offers a hands-on opportunity to see the latest technologies in action and interact with leading providers of additive manufacturing solutions.

Recognize Excellence: During the MILAM 3D Printing Awards Ceremony, celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to 3D printing positively impacting the Defense Industrial Base and Warfighter mission.

By attending the Military Additive Manufacturing Summit, attendees position themselves at the forefront of technological innovation in defense. Join us to gain invaluable insights, form strategic partnerships, and contribute to the future of additive manufacturing in military applications. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a dynamic event that is shaping the future of defense technology! 

The 6th Annual Joint Fires Summit will convene senior leaders from the Department of War, the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, acquisition organizations, academia, and industry to examine how the joint force is modernizing fires for contested, multi-domain operations. The 2027 program is designed to move from strategic context to operational execution, beginning with the delivery of integrated fires capability and the development of a resilient Joint Fires Network, then advancing through targeting modernization, munitions production, AI-enabled battle management, space and missile defense integration, expeditionary maritime fires, non-kinetic effects, and resilient space-enabled command and control.

Defense Strategies Institute’s 9^th Annual Operational Medicine Symposium & Technology Showcase will bring together senior leaders from across the Military Health System, Department of War, federal government, academia, and industry to explore advancements in the field of battlefield medicine and improve the delivery of healthcare across all echelons, from point of injury to medical treatment facilities.

The Joint Force is preparing for an increasingly complex global security environment and the demands of large-scale combat operations, which will be defined by operations in contested, distributed, and resource-constrained environments.  Future conflicts may be marked by mass casualties, prolonged evacuation timelines, disrupted logistics and resupply routes, and prolonged care in austere, geographically diverse theaters.  This year’s OPMED Symposium will explore the latest approaches in trauma care, prolonged casualty care, medical evacuation, force health protection, blood product logistics, and operational medical readiness.  Sessions will explore the integration of AI and emerging capabilities, the need for interoperability among the Joint Force and Special Operations Forces, efforts to transform theater readiness, perspectives from Senior Enlisted Leaders, gaps in medical training & education, the role of medical countermeasures and biodefense innovation, as well as efforts to overcome contested logistics and enable medical evacuations.

Register for the 2027 OPMED Symposium to hear from and engage with senior leaders from the military medical community to learn how healthcare is evolving to meet the demands of large-scale combat operations.  Join 1,200 military medical professionals, practitioners, clinicians, government leaders, researchers, and industry representatives at this premier event to share your ideas, research, strategies, and solutions to strengthen Warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the Joint Force.