At the Air & Space Forces Association's 2025 symposium in National Harbor, Maryland, analysts Guy Taylor and Ben Wolfgang highlighted the critical trends shaping the future of national security. Their discussion on September 27, 2025, focused on the rapid integration of advanced technologies and the deepening collaboration between the Pentagon and private industry.
The conversation underscored a strategic shift towards leveraging artificial intelligence, developing next-generation combat platforms, and securing the space domain through innovative partnerships with both established defense contractors and emerging technology companies.
Key Takeaways
- Discussions at AFA 2025 emphasized the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems into military operations for faster decision-making.
- The importance of public-private partnerships was a central theme, highlighting the need for collaboration with non-traditional tech companies to drive innovation.
- Securing the space domain through resilient satellite constellations and advanced threat detection was identified as a top national security priority.
- The development of next-generation platforms, such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), signals a move towards network-centric warfare.
Setting the Stage at AFA 2025
The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) annual symposium is a premier event for leaders across the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and the global defense industry. Held in National Harbor, MD, the gathering serves as a crucial platform for discussing policy, strategy, and technological advancements.
The 2025 event continued this tradition, with a clear focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Panels and discussions throughout the week addressed the need for modernization and agility in the face of near-peer competition.
What is the AFA Symposium?
The AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference is one of the largest defense-related events in the United States. It brings together thousands of attendees, including senior military leaders, industry executives, and international partners, to explore the future of air and space power.
In their session, Guy Taylor and Ben Wolfgang provided an analysis of the most significant trends emerging from the conference. Their insights focused on how technology and new models of collaboration are fundamentally altering defense capabilities.
The Rise of AI in Military Operations
A dominant topic in the discussion was the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence into every level of military operations. Taylor noted that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day tool being actively deployed to enhance situational awareness and streamline command and control.
According to the analysis presented, the Department of Defense is projected to increase its investment in AI by over 30% in the next fiscal year. This funding is directed towards projects involving predictive maintenance, intelligence analysis, and autonomous systems.
"We are moving from AI as a support tool to AI as an integrated operational partner," Wolfgang stated during the panel. "The goal is to reduce the cognitive load on personnel and accelerate the decision-making cycle to fractions of a second."
The discussion also touched on the ethical considerations and safeguards necessary for deploying autonomous systems. Both analysts agreed that establishing clear rules of engagement and maintaining human oversight remain paramount challenges for policymakers and developers alike.
Next-Generation Platforms and Networked Warfare
Another key area of focus was the development of next-generation air and space platforms. The conversation moved beyond individual aircraft or satellites to the concept of a fully integrated, network-centric fighting force. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and its use of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) were cited as prime examples.
CCAs, or loyal wingmen, are uncrewed aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets, extending their sensor range and weapons capacity. This approach represents a significant strategic shift.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs)
The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire at least 1,000 CCAs to augment its future fighter fleet. These drones are designed to be attritable, meaning they are affordable enough to be risked in high-threat environments where losing a crewed aircraft would be unacceptable.
The Software-Defined Battlefield
Wolfgang emphasized that modern military hardware is increasingly defined by its software. "The platform itself is only part of the equation," he explained. "The ability to rapidly update software, deploy new capabilities, and ensure seamless communication across different systems is what provides a true strategic advantage."
This software-first approach requires a different kind of industrial base, one that mirrors the agile development cycles seen in the commercial tech sector. This necessity is driving much of the collaboration with Silicon Valley and other tech hubs.
Public-Private Partnerships Driving Innovation
Perhaps the most critical theme of the AFA 2025 discussion was the evolving relationship between the government and the private sector. Taylor pointed out that the Pentagon has recognized it can no longer rely solely on a handful of large, traditional defense contractors to maintain its technological edge.
Initiatives like the Air Force's AFWERX program are designed to lower the barrier to entry for startups and small businesses, allowing them to bring innovative solutions to the military more quickly.
- Faster Acquisition: Streamlined contracting processes are helping the military acquire new technology in months rather than years.
- Dual-Use Technologies: The focus is on adapting commercial technologies for military applications, which is often more cost-effective and faster than developing systems from scratch.
- Access to Talent: Partnering with tech companies provides the military with access to top-tier engineers and data scientists.
This model of collaboration is especially vital in the space domain. The rise of commercial launch providers and satellite operators has fundamentally changed how the Space Force approaches its mission. Building resilient satellite constellations now involves leveraging the vast networks being deployed by private companies.
Securing the Contested Space Domain
The final portion of the discussion centered on space as a critical, and increasingly contested, domain of national security. With adversaries developing anti-satellite capabilities, the U.S. is focused on making its space assets more resilient and defensible.
Taylor explained that the strategy has shifted from relying on a few large, exquisite satellites to deploying large constellations of smaller, more affordable satellites. This approach, known as proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO), ensures that the loss of a few satellites does not cripple the entire network.
Wolfgang added that space domain awareness—the ability to track and identify all objects in orbit—is a top priority. "You can't defend what you can't see," he remarked. "Significant investment is going into ground-based sensors and AI-powered systems to monitor orbital traffic and detect potential threats in real time."
The discussion concluded with a consensus that the pace of technological change requires continuous adaptation. The key to future security, as highlighted at AFA 2025, lies in fostering a culture of innovation that effectively merges the strengths of the military and the dynamism of the commercial technology sector.