XPONENTIAL 2026: Exploring the Future of the Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry is at a turning point.

For the past decade, we have approached next-generation technologies with a level of uncertainty: the "possibility" of autonomous flight or the "potential" of uncrewed logistics.

Now, we are living in the era of implementation. The barriers between sea, land, and air craft are beginning to blur, and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly involved. In light of this, there is one place where this entire ecosystem converges to map out the future: XPONENTIAL.

Co-hosted by the Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Messe Düsseldorf North America, XPONENTIAL is a trade show focused on autonomous technology and robotics shaping the future across industries.

Conference Information

This year's XPONENTIAL event will take place from May 11-14 at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. The event's theme revolves around the integration of robotics and autonomy into every facet of our daily lives, from defense and national security to commercial delivery and urban infrastructure.

For decades, the aerospace industry operated in silos. Commercial aviation, defense, and general aviation operated independently of each other, with minimal overlap. XPONENTIAL has broken these silos: NASA scientists, aerospace engineers, and AI developers will all be under one roof, collectively navigating the world's most pressing challenges. After all, this cross-pollination is where the real breakthroughs happen.

Why Detroit?

Having this year's XPONENTIAL in Detroit is a powerful statement about the industry's shift from experimentation to implementation. The Motor City, being the heart of American manufacturing, has evolved into a national hub for the development and deployment of robotics and autonomous systems.

The strategic value of Detroit is also amplified by the co-location of the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX). Hosted by the NDIA's Michigan Chapter, MDEX brings over 3,000 defense and government professionals, creating an energized environment for cross-functional collaboration.

Additionally, the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) is based in Warren, Michigan, just outside Detroit. This cohort serves as a critical bridge between commercial innovation and national security. The integration of this event with the attendees at XPONENTIAL ensures that autonomous breakthroughs can move quickly from lab to the field, supporting various sub-sectors: civil logistics, AAM, defense, and more.

The XPO Hall

The heart of the event is the XPO Hall. Spanning more than 100,000 square feet, the hall features innovative technologies from 550 companies from over 30 countries. Attendees will encounter everything from massive, long-endurance fixed-wing UAS to sleek advanced air mobility prototypes designed to ferry passengers over congested city streets.

Unlike many other industry events, XPONENTIAL emphasizes live demonstrations. Attendees can witness demos of drone flight operations, autonomous vehicle navigation, and real-time data processing systems. These provide a tangible understanding of how these innovations may carry out into real-world use.

Who's Attending

Some of this year's most notable aerospace exhibitors include:

• Amazon Prime Air
• DeltaHawk Engines
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Honeywell

The Educational Aspect

XPONENTIAL 2026 will also include educational sessions about topics shaping the future of the industry. The 2026 program is designed to tackle the most pressing roadblocks to full-scale adoption of uncrewed systems.

1) Beyond the FAA’s BVLOS NPRM: Key Concepts of Universal Aviation Safety

Description: A policy-heavy panel on what comes after the FAA’s proposed BVLOS framework, with an emphasis on how universal aviation safety principles can support scaled UAS integration.

Speakers:
Dallas Brooks, Wing Aviation LLC
Jon Damush, uAvionix Corporation
Brandon Roberts, Federal Aviation Administration UAS Integration Office
Peter Sachs, Zipline International, Inc.
Heidi Williams, National Business Aviation Association

Other info:
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM EDT
Track: Policy, Governance & Global Strategy
Format: Panel Session
Location: 142A

2) UTM, UAS ops on Airports, and Air Traffic Control: Developing the integration ecosystem that brings them all together

Description: A panel focused on how UTM, airport operations, and traditional air traffic systems can be aligned into one workable integration ecosystem.

Speakers:
Shawn Maines, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (A&S)
John Sawyer, U.S. Department of Defense
Pamela Gomez, Federal Aviation Administration
Paul Strande, Federal Aviation Administration UAS Integration Office

Other info:
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM EDT
Track: Enterprise Operations & Ecosystem Integration
Format: Panel Session
Location: 142A

3) Part 146: The Hidden Disruptor Reshaping Aviation Integration

Description: A briefing on how Part 146 could affect broader aviation integration, likely with implications for airspace access, operations, and the regulatory roadmap for autonomy.

Speakers:
Erin Roesler, Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS)
Nicholas Flom, Thales USA

Other info:
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM EDT
Track: Enterprise Operations & Ecosystem Integration
Format: Lecture/Fireside Session
Location: 140D

4) Building the Future: Legal Frameworks for Global AAM and eVTOL Operations and Infrastructure

Description: A co-located session on the legal and regulatory frameworks needed to enable global AAM and eVTOL operations, including infrastructure development.

Speakers:
James Grimsley, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Alice Griffith, Crown Consulting
Virginia Hiner Antypas, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Charlton Evans, End State Solutions
Toni Drummond, Future Flight Global
Gabrielle Wain, Skyways

Other info:
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
Track: Co-Located Event
Format: Co-Located Event
Location: 321

5) Radar-Enabled Detect and Avoid: Advancing Safe Integration of Uncrewed Aircraft

Description: A technically grounded session on radar-enabled detect-and-avoid systems and their role in making uncrewed aircraft integration safer and more operationally viable.

Speakers:
Brandon Suarez, Reliable Robotics Corporation
Shivanjli Sharma, NASA Ames Research Center

Other info:
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM EDT
Track: Enterprise Operations & Ecosystem Integration
Format: Panel Session
Location: 141

Final Thoughts

Amidst the fast pace of development in the aerospace industry, events like XPONENTIAL serve as critical hubs for innovation and collaboration. For those looking to stay ahead of recent developments, the question is no longer "Should I attend?" but rather, "How do I maximize my attendance?"

Click here to learn more about the XPONENTIAL event and attendance options.