The Department of War maintains scaled hypersonics as one of six core Critical Technology Areas (CTA) and has requested nearly $4 billion in 2026 to fund hypersonic research, development, testing, evaluation, and fielding efforts. Defense Strategies Institute’s 5^th Annual Hypersonic Innovation Conference will convene senior DoW leaders, industry innovators, and academic experts to explore the technologies, policies, and operational concepts shaping the future of hypersonic warfare and integrated missile defense.   

Adversaries continue to make strides in operationalizing hypersonic weapons, increasing the urgency for the US to develop and field affordable hypersonic capabilities as well as integrate a robust, layered missile defense system to track, intercept, and defeat incoming threats.  This year’s HIC will highlight opportunities to integrate hypersonic weapons that enable long-range precision strike with unmatched speed, precision, and survivability to secure U.S. operational advantage. Speakers will explore ongoing deployment initiatives, cutting edge R&D innovations, advanced materials and thermal protection systems, integrated air and missile defense efforts, robust T&E infrastructure, next-generation sensing and tracking, technical development updates, and pathways to accelerate capability transition. Sessions will focus on the need to develop, test, integrate, and deploy hypersonic weapons and missile defense capabilities that provide the Joint Force with speed, precision, lethality, and operational reach in denied, contested environments.

Join us at the 2026 Hypersonic Innovation Conference to support the Department of War’s efforts to develop, deploy, and defend against hypersonic weapons for operational advantage and strategic deterrence. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of and engage with Senior Leaders across DoW, military services, federal government, academia, and industry to exchange ideas on the future of hypersonic technology innovation.