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Autonomous systems are fast becoming the primary weapon for militaries on the battlefield, as seen currently in the war in Ukraine. The force multiplier that uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) have been on that battlefield has motivated the U.S. military to drastically reform their acquisition approach by way of removing bureaucratic obstacles to get autonomous systems technology into warfighters’ hands more quickly. These reforms mean faster acquisition of sensor processing technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and security solutions, and will lead to more systems that follow a modular open systems architecture (MOSA) approach to enable smarter, faster, and more lethal autonomous systems. This approach will also spur development of complex and effective countermeasures to adversarial UxS platforms.
Autonomous systems are fast becoming the primary weapon for militaries on the battlefield, as seen currently in the war in Ukraine. The force multiplier that uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) have been on that battlefield has motivated the U.S. military to drastically reform their acquisition approach by way of removing bureaucratic obstacles to get autonomous systems technology into warfighters’ hands more quickly. These reforms mean faster acquisition of sensor processing technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and security solutions, and will lead to more systems that follow a modular open systems architecture (MOSA) approach to enable smarter, faster, and more lethal autonomous systems. This approach will also spur development of complex and effective countermeasures to adversarial UxS platforms.
Thu, Apr. 16, 2026 · 8:00 am (PDT)
EVP & Group Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems
Thu, Apr. 16, 2026 · 8:45 am (PDT)
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The U.S. military is investing more heavily in autonomous systems while simultaneously reforming acquisition processes and practices to get the latest autonomous systems and payload technology into warfighters’ hands more quickly. These efforts include embracing modular open systems approach (MOSA) strategies to more quickly adapt commercial technology. Open architecture initiatives such as the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA; and the Future Airborne Capability Environment, or FACE, are enabling faster acquisition and adoption of commercial innovation in flight controls; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads; communications; and other hardware and software designs. This session covers how open architectures and plug-and-play solutions are driving autonomous system designs.
The U.S. military is investing more heavily in autonomous systems while simultaneously reforming acquisition processes and practices to get the latest autonomous systems and payload technology into warfighters’ hands more quickly. These efforts include embracing modular open systems approach (MOSA) strategies to more quickly adapt commercial technology. Open architecture initiatives such as the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA; and the Future Airborne Capability Environment, or FACE, are enabling faster acquisition and adoption of commercial innovation in flight controls; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads; communications; and other hardware and software designs. This session covers how open architectures and plug-and-play solutions are driving autonomous system designs.
EVP & Group Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems
Thu, Apr. 16, 2026 · 10:00 am (PDT)
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Uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) provide a decisive advantage on the battlefield for the U.S., its allies, and its adversaries, especially in Ukraine. However, complex UAS tactics and proliferation makes countering them a challenge of approach, acquisition strategy, and technology. Faster adoption and acquisition of the technology to counter the threat — including sophisticated commercial radar, processing, and radio-frequency (RF) technology with open architecture designs — will enable faster deployment of counter-drone solutions to the front lines. This session covers how those technologies can effectively disable multiple drone threats.
Uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) provide a decisive advantage on the battlefield for the U.S., its allies, and its adversaries, especially in Ukraine. However, complex UAS tactics and proliferation makes countering them a challenge of approach, acquisition strategy, and technology. Faster adoption and acquisition of the technology to counter the threat — including sophisticated commercial radar, processing, and radio-frequency (RF) technology with open architecture designs — will enable faster deployment of counter-drone solutions to the front lines. This session covers how those technologies can effectively disable multiple drone threats.
Director Aerospace & Defense Markets, RTI
John Breitenbach is Director of Aerospace & Defense Markets for Real-Time Innovations. He has over 30 years of experience designing software for intelligent machines. He’s worked on industrial, medical, consumer and military products - everything from artificial hearts to autonomous vehicles to elevators.
EVP & Group Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems
Thu, Apr. 16, 2026 · 11:15 am (PDT)
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For military sensor systems, the edge is often defined as where the sensor collects the data. Securely analyzing and disseminating the tremendous amounts of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data and electronic warfare/signals intelligence (EW/ SIGINT) data collected by the sensors on strategic autonomous platforms — air, land, sea, and space — is a herculean task. Sensor data management requires sophisticated signal processing and the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions together with robust and secure data frameworks having strong cyber protection. This session details how secure embedded AI and commercial technology innovations enable users to gather more accurate intelligence at greater speed from autonomous ISR platforms.
For military sensor systems, the edge is often defined as where the sensor collects the data. Securely analyzing and disseminating the tremendous amounts of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data and electronic warfare/signals intelligence (EW/ SIGINT) data collected by the sensors on strategic autonomous platforms — air, land, sea, and space — is a herculean task. Sensor data management requires sophisticated signal processing and the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions together with robust and secure data frameworks having strong cyber protection. This session details how secure embedded AI and commercial technology innovations enable users to gather more accurate intelligence at greater speed from autonomous ISR platforms.
Strategic Partnerships Director, Crystal Group
Todd Prouty is the Strategic Partnerships Director at Crystal Group, where he drives collaboration and growth across the rugged computing and defense technology markets. He plays a key role in advancing Crystal Group’s high-performance, rugged solutions for defense, government, and industrial customers, helping strengthen technology partnerships and expand mission-critical capabilities. He also serves as Treasurer of the Iowa–Illinois chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association and brings decades of experience aligning technical innovation with customer needs.
EVP & Group Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems
