AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026

The AIAA AVIATION Forum serves as a premier event for the aviation community, offering a direct pathway to the forefront of aviation business, research, development, and technology. The forum focuses on how aviation is transforming in a rapidly advancing world, exploring next-generation technologies such as hypersonics, eVTOL, STOL, advanced propulsion, autonomy, digital transformation, and AI. Attendees will delve into infrastructure challenges related to an electrified and hydrogen-enabled future, the impact of regulatory forces on design, and lessons learned from major initiatives. The conference also addresses the ethical and cognitive impacts of automation and AI, including their role in improving decision-making, speeding certification, and boosting environmental, cybersecurity, and mission resilience. The forum aims to foster an envisioning of a future guided by the urgency of innovation and an expanded perspective for aviation's next great leap. It is the only aviation event covering the entire integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development, and technology, bringing together the aviation industry to address challenges and future directions with a broad, integrating view. Key topics include Modernization of ATC Systems, Military Applications for AI, Hypersonics, Progress in AAM Certification, Advancing Digital Manufacturing, Advancing Supersonic Flight, Aircraft Electrification, and Military Aviation. The event will also feature workshops on Efficiency and Sustainability, Multi-Modal Transportation, Electrification, and an Electric Propulsion and Advanced Technologies Symposium (EPATS).