SMD Symposium 2026

High operations tempo, increasing threats drives a shifting strategy for air defenses and the systems the Army needs.

The U.S. Army is developing four new competitions in its fires portfolio, and while they are addressing separate needs all of them are prioritizing key features.

Aviation Week sits down with Amentum to talk about crafting a successful defense program.

A year into the formation of the Golden Dome for America (GDA) effort to build a broad protection of the U.S. homeland, the agency charged with leading the mission has seen a shift in its focus.

The Pentagon is looking for more compact directed-energy systems to apply the technology more widely, including in airborne applications.

Boeing this week unveiled its design for the U.S. Army’s competition to build a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2.

The U.S. Army is taking steps to better protect the air defense soldiers and systems that have come under attack in the Middle East.

Lockheed Martin announced Aug. 12 that it had conducted the first live-fire test of its new containerized Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) launcher.

Departing Spacecom chief Gen. Stephen Whiting calls for space fires and counter p-LEO systems as top priorities.

A competition is underway to develop the U.S. Army’s next long-range, surface-to-surface missile for potential use on the Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The command and control system now being developed to orchestrate the Golden Dome program’s future air and missile defense system for the homeland could migrate to U.S. military forces deployed overseas.

The head of the new Golden Dome air and missile defense shield warns that if the additional funding is not approved, the effort would likely end.

U.S. Army air defenders are facing the largest air and missile defense fight in the nation’s history, and lessons both in the Middle East and other conflicts are driving a strategy rethink.

Aviation Week visits Moog’s Huntsville facility to talk about the changing landscape of defense, and their multi-domain approach.

Boeing unveiled an active radar, Ultra Low-Cost Seeker (ULCS) for surface-to-air missiles and offensive weapons on Aug. 11.

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) will provide a 3D-woven, composite aeroshell for the Lockheed Martin Next Generation Glide Body (NXGB), Lockheed announced on Aug. 10.

Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies on Aug. 10 announced that they had completed a successful test for of the second stage solid rocket motor for the Next Generation Interceptor program.

The U.S. Army plans to adapt its XM913 50mm chain gun for counter-UAS, with new ammunition and systems showcased at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

Raytheon on Aug. 10 announced that it received a $745 million contract for its Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptor as part of the Pentagon’s broad push to increase its stock of air defenses.

The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered a new vehicle-mounted high-power microwave system from Epirus for point defense from drones as the Pentagon continues to expand its defensive systems for deployed troops.

Voyager Technologies says sales related to space-based interceptor activities already are matching its revenue from work on the Lockheed Martin Next-Generation Interceptor.

High-speed aircraft developer Hermeus has successfully deployed an inert weapon from its Quarterhorse Mk. 2.1 unpiloted vehicle over New Mexico.

A newly obtained document reveals the full scope of the U.S. Navy’s preliminary plans for replacing all members of the venerable, RTX-made Standard Missile.

The Pentagon on July 27 announced another new agreement with key companies to expand munition production.

The holy grail in missile defense today is a cheaper way to down threats.