AFCEA/USNI WEST 2026

Sessions Speakers Exhibitors Products Press Releases Floor Plan

From Learning to Lethality: Accelerating Technological Leadership Through Warfighter Education (Room Operations In Focus Stage (Sails Pavilion))

10 Feb 26

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Tracks: Defense in Depth Stage, Lethality & Warfighting

Speaker(s): CDR Jens Berdahl, USN, PhD Candidate, Naval Postgraduate School; Rob Lehman, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Saronic Technologies; RADM Christopher Alexander, USN, Special Assistant to the Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Navy; VADM Ann E. Rondeau, USN (Ret.), President, Naval Postgraduate School; VADM Michael J. Vernazza, USN, Commander, Naval Information Forces

The Navy’s modernization depends not only on innovation and acquiring new technologies, but on intellectual advantage enabled by deeply understanding the technologies transforming warfare. This panel examines how defense-focused warfighter education and hands-on applied research can accelerate the development and application of emerging technologies: from AI to directed energy, hypersonics to autonomy, and additive manufacturing to space systems. Panelists will discuss how advanced education has/can shape innovation pathways across the Naval enterprise to enhance lethality, readiness, resiliency, and decisive advantage for the Fleet.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, the participant will gain a better understanding of the new intellectual advantage required for modern conflict.
Upon completion, the participant will gain a better understanding of why education is the foundation for innovation.
Upon completion, the participant will gain a better understanding of how warfighter education and applied research with industry can focus and accelerate research into innovative applications.

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