AIAA CTO Summit

9–10 September 2026
The MITRE Corporation
7596 Colshire Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-7539

The 2026 AIAA CTO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering designed to empower Chief Technology Officers, Chief Scientists, and senior technology leaders to tackle the aerospace industry’s most pressing challenges. Hosted at The MITRE Corporation, this Summit is expanded to include CTOs and Chief Scientists from related sectors, fostering cross-industry collaboration to drive transformative outcomes.

This is not just another conference, it’s a strategic opportunity to influence the future of aerospace. Over 1.5 days, you’ll engage in high-impact discussions, forge alliances with top minds from the Department of Defense, NASA, industry, and academia, and develop actionable recommendations to address critical issues.

Outcomes from the Summit will be shared with AIAA senior leadership and will inform AIAA strategy, products, and services. Perspectives shared by the attendees will help AIAA continue to provide valuable benefits to its Corporate Member stakeholders.

This Summit ensures a focused, non-attributable environment where your expertise will shape industry-wide change.

Exclusive High-Profile Networking: Build relationships with AIAA Corporate Member CTOs, scientists, and engineers.
Data-Driven Insights: Leverage exclusive research, trends, and insights to inform your strategy.
Actionable Outcomes: Leave with recommendations and a clear roadmap to implement change, directly benefiting your organization and the aerospace ecosystem.
Corporate Member Benefit: As an AIAA Corporate Member, your participation is a privileged opportunity to maximize the value of your membership.

Wednesday, 9 September

1–1:30 p.m. | Arrival and Welcome

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Keoki Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MITRE National Security; President, AIAA.
Strategic Framing: Clay Mowry, CEO, AIAA, highlights the Summit's importance to the broader aerospace enterprise.
Setting the Stage: Outline of the Summit objectives, including solving real-world challenges, accelerating innovation, and shaping the future of aerospace.

1:30–2 p.m. | Technologies Transforming Aerospace Report

AIAA’s Technologies Transforming Aerospace study draws on insights from the AIAA community to identify technologies that will shape aeronautics and space over the next decades. Carissa Christensen, CEO, BryceTech, will take a dive into the ten technologies outlined in the report and will preview the next steps for this annual forecast.

2–2:30 p.m. | Facilitated Networking

2:30–3:15 p.m. | Outcomes and Actions from the 2025 Summit

Leaders from AIAA’s technical community will present a report out on the status of action items from the 2025 Summit.

3:15–4:45 p.m. | Summit Session 1

Interactive discussions that bring together Summit leaders from across aerospace and defense.

4:45–5 p.m. | Day 1 Closing Remarks

6–8 p.m. | Reception, Dinner, and Networking

Networking reception and dinner at the Archer Hotel with a focus on deepening connections and fostering collaboration.

Thursday, 10 September

8:30–9 a.m. | Continental Breakfast

9–9:15 a.m. | Welcome to Day 2

9:15–10:30 a.m. | Data, Trends, and Analysis

Briefings on key data, research, and trends to inform solution development.

10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | Summit Session 2

Interactive discussions that bring together Summit leaders from across aerospace and defense.

12–12:45 p.m. | Executive Networking Lunch

12:45–1:30 p.m. | Critical Technologies Deep Dive

Briefings on critical technologies to inform solution development.

1:30–2:45 p.m. | Summit Session 3

Interactive discussions that bring together Summit leaders from across aerospace and defense.

2:45–3:15 p.m. | Prioritization and Finalization

3:15–3:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Final remarks from AIAA leadership and discussion of post-Summit support and accountability.