Aerospace & Defense conferences & trade shows in Huntsville, AL

Oct 26–28, 2026·The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Annual American Astronautical Society symposium on space exploration, with sessions on Artemis, propulsion and supply chains.

Who it's for

Space exploration professionals, government and academia, and students

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Astronautical Society

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: In-person non-member: $875

Virtual non-member registration is $200.

Nov 4–5, 2026·Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL

AFCEA Huntsville chapter conference bringing government, military, industry and academic leaders together to discuss moving innovation into operational capability, covering AI, cybersecurity, digital engineering and software modernization.

Who it's for

Government and industry leaders, program managers, acquisition professionals, engineers, researchers and small businesses in defense and national security

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

AFCEA Huntsville Chapter

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Expired: Early bird: $300 until Sep 30, 2026
• Current price: Standard: $350 until Nov 3, 2026
• Onsite: $395

Industry/Government Contractor rates; government attendees register free.

Nov 10–12, 2026·The Westin Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Conference on carbon fiber and its growing role in composites, covering manufacturing cost reduction, market outlooks and the carbon fiber supply chain, with exhibits, pre-conference seminars and receptions.

Who it's for

Composites and carbon fiber manufacturers, suppliers, engineers and end-users in aerospace, space, defense and industrial markets

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

CompositesWorld (Gardner Business Media)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Advanced/onsite pricing: $1,795

Pre-conference seminars are $695 extra; facility tours $50.

Nov 16–18, 2026·Huntsville, AL

Army Aviation Association forum on the Army aviation roadmap, the industrial base, sustainment and acquisition, with senior Army leaders, project-manager briefings and an exhibit hall.

Who it's for

Aviation trainers, operators, logisticians, project managers, R&D staff and Army Aviation Branch leadership

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 17–18, 2026·Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Fifth annual summit gathering military, government, laboratory and defense industry leaders on hypersonic strike, detection and missile defense capabilities.

Who it's for

Defense officials, program managers, researchers and defense industry leaders

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Conference Institute

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Dec 16–17, 2026·Jackson Center, Huntsville, AL

Second summit on loitering munition and one-way attack systems, covering Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and allied perspectives.

Who it's for

Military leaders, acquisition authorities and innovators

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Defense Strategies Institute (DSI Group)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Jan 20–21, 2027·Jackson Center, Huntsville, AL

Ninth annual joint-service summit on air dominance strategies, aviation modernization and industrial base readiness.

Who it's for

Military services, DoW, international partners, acquisition and industry

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Defense Strategies Institute (DSI Group)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Feb 16–17, 2027·Huntsville, AL

Technical meeting on handling qualities, flight controls and vehicle design for helicopters, advanced rotorcraft, drones and eVTOL aircraft, including updates to the ADS-33E handling qualities standard. Sponsored by the VFS Redstone Chapter, with a call for papers open.

Who it's for

Vertical flight handling qualities, flight controls and vehicle design engineers and researchers

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Vertical Flight Society (Redstone Chapter)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Feb 24–25, 2027·Von Braun Convention Center, Huntsville, AL

15th annual forum on autonomous systems for defense, closed to press and held under the Chatham House Rule.

Who it's for

Defense and government personnel and industry working on autonomous and unmanned systems

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

DSI Group

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Feb 24–25, 2027·Jackson Center, Huntsville, AL

Two-day forum in Huntsville on joint fires for defense, run under the Chatham House Rule with press and recording barred.

Who it's for

Military, government and industry professionals working on joint fires capabilities

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Defense Strategies Institute (DSI Group)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Mar 2–3, 2027·Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Closed-door, Chatham House Rule summit on counter-drone technology and strategy with panels and keynotes for vetted participants.

Who it's for

Military, government, civil and commercial counter-UAS professionals (vetted)

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Conference Institute (C5 Group)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Vendor / private sector, early rate: $1,545 until Dec 18, 2026
• Vendor / private sector, later rate: $1,845

Active federal employees attend free; academia/non-profit rates are lower.

Mar 16–18, 2027·Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Association of the U.S. Army symposium in Huntsville focused on Army modernization, acquisition and future capabilities, paired with a defense-industry exhibit hall.

Who it's for

Army leaders, soldiers, defense contractors and acquisition professionals

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Association of the United States Army (AUSA)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Apr 29, 2027·U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL

Space security conference with a training day the day before, focused on hands-on security work and without product pitches.

Who it's for

Hackers, operators, engineers and decision makers working on space security

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

The Final Frontier Foundation

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Aug 10–12, 2027·Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Annual Huntsville gathering on space and missile defense with a large exhibit hall and multi-day program.

Who it's for

Space and missile defense attendees and exhibitors, including government, industry and academia

Approx. size

9,000+ attendees · 300+ exhibitors

Organizer

SMD Symposium

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Aug 24–25, 2027·Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Flagship annual gathering of government, industry and academia on uncrewed systems, counter-UAS and airspace topics.

Who it's for

Government, industry and academia working on uncrewed systems

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

AUVSI Pathfinder

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published