As AI and machine intelligence become increasingly embedded in defense and security operations, the challenge is no longer just speed — it’s trust. In this interview, Alex Martin, CEO of ClearSpeed, discusses the importance of creating a “trust layer” between AI systems and human decision-makers, helping warfighters reduce risk, accelerate vetting and improve operational security in high-pressure environments.

SOF WEEK 2026--TAMPA. Aerospace and national-security concern SNC and shipbuilder/systems integrator Fairlead have forged a strategic partnership to domestically produce AEGIR uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), in a move the companies say will bolster U.S. naval dominance, The announcement was made during the SOF Week 2026 show, currently underway in Tampa.  

TAMPA, Florida. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) officially unveiled the name of the AGM-190A small cruise missile as "Havoc Spear" at SOF Week 2026 on May 19, marking a milestone in the command's Enhanced Precision Effects (EPE) modernization initiative, the command announced in a statement.

TAMPA, Florida. Legion Intelligence is showcasing two new products at SOF Week 2026: a set of role-specific AI agent packages called Mission Packs and a new ultra-small form factor edge AI system called Centurion III.

TAMPA, Florida. BlackSea Technologies displayed its Comet unmanned surface vessel at SOF Week 2026 this week at Dock 18 on the Tampa Convention Center waterfront, the company announced in a statement.

TAMPA, Florida. AeroVironment (AV) is showcasing MAYHEM 10, a modular, multi-role launched weapon designed for contested environments, at SOF Week 2026 this week.

TAMPA, Florida. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will not tolerate closed, proprietary systems -- and is actively working to reopen legacy platforms that have become locked to single vendors, Melissa A. Johnson, acquisition executive at USSOCOM, told industry attendees during her keynote at SOF Week 2026.

SOF WEEK, Tampa Florida. Engineers at AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (made two additions to the company’s AV_Halo unified mission software platform: AV_Halo INSTINCT, a next-generation autonomy framework for multi-platform uncrewed systems (UxS), and AV_Halo DETECT, an advanced radio frequency (RF) sensing and security solution for contested and denied environments. They re debuting the capability at SOF Week this week in Tampa.

SOF WEEK 2026--TAMPA. Leonardo DRS announced the launch of its Tenum 640 Orbit uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera module optimized for uncrewed air, ground, and maritime platforms at SOF Week 2026, currently underway in Tampa.  

TAMPA, Florida. The January seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during Operation Absolute Resolve has set a new benchmark for how U.S. Special Operations Forces will operate in future conflicts, said U.S. Navy Adm. Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), during his keynote address at SOF Week 2026.

SOF WEEK 2026--TAMPA. Radio-frequency (RF) platform provider Hidden Level will highlight its advanced passive radar and counter-uncrewed aerial system (UAS) sensing capabilities during this week's SOF Week 2026 as it seeks to demonstrate to showgoers its low-signature, integration-ready technology that enhances situational awareness, force protection, and decision advantage for Special Operations forces operating in contested environments. 

AUSTIN, Tex. Hyliion Holdings, which develops modular power plant technology, announced that the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have chosen the USX-1 Defiant -- a fully autonomous medium uncrewed surface vessel (USV) -- as a candidate test vessel for Hyliion’s KARNO onboard power-generation technology.

Ahead of SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, Global SOF Foundation President & CEO Stu Bradin discusses the rapid growth of the event, the launch of the new “Outpost” aviation and drone hub at Peter O’Knight Airport, and why special operations continues to gain strategic importance worldwide.

TAMPA, Florida. Emil Michael, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Department of War's Chief Technology Officer, will headline a panel discussion on lethal artificial intelligence and autonomous systems at SOF Week 2026 on May 20, joining senior industry leaders to address what organizers are calling the evolution of America's "asymmetric edge" in special operations.

SOF WEEK 2026. The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will host a live cpabilities demonstration during SOF Week 2026 outside of the Tampa Convention Center. USSOCOM collaborates with 10 partner nations, taking over the Tampa Bay waterfront for a simulation featuring the future of special operations technology and tactical innovation on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.