Loitering Munitions Systems Summit 2026
The 2nd Loitering Munitions Systems Summit will bring together senior military leaders, policymakers, acquisition authorities, industry specialists, and other experts to examine developments in loitering munition systems, drone warfare, and one-way attack technologies.
The 2026 event will focus on the development and integration of loitering munitions across military applications, including the use of autonomous and AI-enabled systems. Discussions will address current operational requirements, emerging drone threats, precision-strike capabilities, and the role of loitering munitions in modern conflict.
Sessions will also examine maritime one-way attack drones, attritable systems, allied collaboration, and the integration of autonomy and artificial intelligence into future loitering munition systems.
When is the Loitering Munitions Systems Summit?
The Loitering Munitions Systems Summit will take place December 16–17, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Image credit: Loitering Munition Systems Summit
Themes
A central theme of the Summit is the development and deployment of loitering munitions to support precision-strike and wider military requirements.
Sessions will examine Army efforts to deliver loitering munition systems, the integration of these technologies into Marine Corps precision-strike capabilities, and Air Force approaches to developing loitering munitions for emerging threats.
The program will also cover allied collaboration on loitering munition capabilities and drone threats, as well as the development and deployment of maritime one-way attack drones to support surface-fleet lethality and protection.
Other discussions will consider attritable warfare and the role of autonomous systems in current and future conflicts. The agenda also addresses the integration of autonomy and AI into loitering munitions and the future development of one-way attack systems.
What’s On?
The two-day program will feature presentations and discussions involving military personnel, acquisition authorities, policymakers, industry representatives, and other specialists working on loitering munition capabilities.
Attendees will hear about technology development, testing, acquisition, operational integration, precision-strike requirements, and the changing role of drones and autonomous systems within the battlespace.
Interactive sessions will provide opportunities for attendees to put questions to speakers and discuss the technical and operational challenges associated with loitering munitions. Networking opportunities are also included within the event program.
Government Attendance
The event information states that the Summit is open and complimentary to DoW and Federal employees and is considered an educational training forum and widely attended gathering.
The organizers also state that there will be no press and no recordings, with discussions operating under the Chatham House Rule.
Speakers
Confirmed speakers include MG Colin Tuley, USA, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maneuver Ground, and BG Robert Mikesh, USA, CPE Offensive Fires, PAE Fires.
Other Army speakers include BG Shannon-Mikal Lucas, USA, Commanding General, US Army Operational Test Command; COL Charles Seaberry, USA, Commander, Yuma Proving Ground; and LTC Hunter Gray, USA, Product Manager, Launched Effects, CPE Aviation.
The program also includes Col Justin Gamel, USAF, Commander, AFCENT Battle Lab, and Col Thomas Short, USMC, Air Officer, 2nd Marine Division.
Additional confirmed speakers are Tony Garcia, Director, Munitions Technology, OUSW R&E; Criag Riedel, Program Manager, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions, CPE Offensive Fires, PAE Fires; and Dr. Mike Tran, Director of Prototyping, OUSW R&E.
International representation includes LTC Andrei Slabovits, EDF, Loitering Munition Unit Commander and Capability Developer, Estonian Defense Forces.
MG (Ret) Robert Barrie, USA, former PEO Aviation, will serve as event moderator.
Where is the Loitering Munitions Systems Summit?
The 2nd Loitering Munitions Systems Summit will be held at:
Jackson Center
6001 Moquin Dr NW
Huntsville, AL 35806
United States
To learn more about Loitering Munitions Systems Summit 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
