Picture this: top experts sharing insider briefings on the toughest threats facing the U.S., from China’s hypersonic advances to cyber warfare risks. They didn’t just talk problems—they laid out bold plans for experiments and mission-critical tech that could tip the scales for our warfighters. The room crackled with ideas as industry reps learned about partnerships, funding opportunities, and how to plug into OUSD(R&E)’s $17.2 billion science and technology (S&T) budget. From the S&T Office’s groundbreaking research to the Critical Technologies Office’s push to get cutting-edge systems into the field, it was all about turning big ideas into battlefield reality.

The real magic happened in over 60 tailored breakout sessions, where DoD leaders and industry innovators rolled up their sleeves to tackle specific challenges—like building smarter drones or next-gen missile defenses like the Golden Dome. These weren’t stuffy lectures; they were candid, two-way conversations that sparked 75 follow-up meetings for deeper dives. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration Under Secretary Emil Michael is championing, bringing private-sector hustle to supercharge DoD innovation.