Sea-Air-Space attendees stepped out of the naval conference in National Harbor, Maryland, to observe the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The 2024 Sea-Air-Space defense conference, hosted by the Navy League, took place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center near Washington, D.C.
Key highlights from the conference included discussions on shipbuilding, the creation of a new robotics warfare specialist rating, and the unveiling of the prototype Manta Ray underwater drone by Northrop Grumman.
The Marine Corps announced plans to deploy its new heavy-lift helicopter in 2026, a year later than previously anticipated.
The Navy reviewed its shipbuilding programs, identified schedule slips due to workforce shortages and supply chain issues, and explored the potential of 3D printing as a solution.
Other topics at the conference included advancements in robotics, 3D printing, digital pilot technology, satellite technology, and plans for the next Sea-Air-Space conference in April 2025.
