Scenes from the annual AUSA conference – Stars and Stripes

Scenes from the annual AUSA conference  Stars and Stripes

Army leaders, service members, policymakers and defense industry representatives gathered for the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference. The Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II on display on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at the AUSA conference in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON — Thousands of Army leaders, service members, policymakers and defense industry representatives gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this week for the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference. The three-day event drew more than 40,000 attendees for discussions on Army policies, demonstrations of emerging technologies and opportunities to network. More than 750 exhibitors showcased a wide range of products and capabilities, including military vehicles, weapons, drones and other advanced defense technologies.

The Hanwha Defense USA XM1776, a newly designed mobile tactical cannon, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at the AUSA conference in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II is displayed on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at the AUSA conference. The Cheyenne II is the Army’s next-generation, multirole, vertical-lift aircraft. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A Bullfrog autonomous C-UxS sits in the bed of an Infantry Squad Vehicle on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at the AUSA conference in Washington. The Bullfrog is designed to detect, track and neutralize small drone threats. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle is displayed