Drone Dominance Day To Spotlight Future Of Warfare, Autonomous Systems In Southern Maryland

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Military leaders, defense innovators and international partners will gather in St. Mary’s County next month to discuss one of the fastest-changing technologies shaping modern warfare: drones.

Hosted by The Patuxent Partnership, Drone Dominance Day: Evolving Warfare – Rise of the Drones will take place June 18 at the AeroPark SMART Building in California. The event is part of a weeklong series of activities leading up to the 2026 NAS Patuxent River Air Show and is designed to explore how unmanned and autonomous systems are transforming military operations around the world.

In an interview with The BayNet, retired Adm. Scott Sanders, who will moderate the symposium, said the pace of change in drone technology has accelerated dramatically in recent years.

“The way warfare has evolved in just three or four years is really stunning,” Sanders said.

The symposium will examine the growing role of unmanned aerial, maritime and underwater systems in defense operations while bringing together experts from government, industry and academia to discuss emerging technologies, current challenges and future opportunities.

Sanders said the conflict in Ukraine has become one of the most significant examples of how rapidly drone warfare continues to evolve.

“Ukraine has become the teacher,” Sanders said, noting that military organizations around the world are studying lessons learned from the conflict and adapting their own strategies accordingly.

According to Sanders, autonomous systems are no longer limited to the skies. Advances in technology are occurring across air, land and sea domains, creating new opportunities while also presenting challenges for military planners.

“Our military tactics, our military doctrine, definitely our acquisition systems, cannot keep up with the speed of how this industry is evolving,” he said.

Southern Maryland At The Center Of Innovation

While the symposium will focus on global developments, organizers say Southern Maryland is uniquely positioned to be part of the conversation.

Bonnie Marie Green, executive director of The Patuxent Partnership, pointed to the region’s concentration of military, academic and industry resources focused on autonomous systems development.

The area is home to Naval Air Systems Command and serves as a hub for unmanned aviation research and testing. Green highlighted several organizations and companies with ties to the region, including Platform Aerospace, OAG, Shield AI and the University of Maryland UAS Test Site.

“Headquarters for unmanned systems is at Pax River,” Green said.

The region’s access to restricted airspace, waterways and testing infrastructure has helped attract companies working on everything from unmanned aircraft to autonomous vessels and underwater systems.

Sanders noted that many major defense contractors operating in Southern Maryland now have autonomous systems programs or initiatives underway.

“There’s a lot going on down here for people to know about,” he said.

International Perspective

Organizers expect attendees from across the United States and abroad, including representatives from allied nations and defense organizations.

The symposium will feature discussions focused on emerging drone technologies, counter-drone systems and international collaboration. Sanders said cooperation among allies has become increasingly important as technologies advance and threats evolve.

Sanders also emphasized the importance of providing accurate, fact-based information about the rapidly growing field.

“We’re putting out nothing that you read on Twitter or something you got on social media,” he said. “This is the real deal.”

High-Level Speakers And Industry Leaders

Organizers have assembled a lineup of military, government and industry leaders to discuss the future of autonomous warfare and defense technology. Featured speakers include former Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Hughes, deputy chief of staff for capability development at NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation, and Air Vice Marshal Chris Mullen, military attaché at the British Embassy. Additional panels will examine drone strategy, allied cooperation and counter-UAS technologies, while attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from leading companies developing next-generation autonomous systems.

Discussions throughout the day will focus on emerging drone technologies, autonomous systems, coalition operations and national security challenges. Attendees will also hear from Navy leadership, defense experts and industry innovators during a UAS Show & Tell featuring companies such as Platform Aerospace, OAG, Firestorm and international participants from Poland. The symposium will conclude with a networking reception designed to foster collaboration among government, industry and academic partners.

You can view the schedule here.

Part Of A Larger Air Show Week

Drone Dominance Day is one of several events planned during the week leading up to the NAS Patuxent River Air Show.

Community activities include the Chamber of Commerce’s “250 Years of Freedom” Golf Invitational on June 17, followed by military appreciation activities and the air show itself June 20-21.

Organizers hope the symposium not only highlights the future of warfare but also showcases Southern Maryland’s growing role as a center for aerospace innovation, defense technology and workforce development.

“This is meant to be a community thing,” Sanders said. “There’s a lot of good things going on.”

Register And Sponsor

Registration is now open for Drone Dominance Day, and sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations interested in supporting the event and connecting with leaders from government, industry and academia. For more information, visit The Patuxent Partnership’s event page.

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