The Defense Robotics and Innovation Coalition connects Pittsburgh area robotics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other related companies to business opportunities with the U.S. Department of Defense.

As the United States and our allies seek to develop a modern deterrence capability to address narrowing technological advantages over perceived ‘near peer’ competitors, we believe that the Department of Defense will be increasingly looking for solutions being engineered right here in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Recently, we have worked alongside multiple such organizations, including: the Army Futures Command, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force, all of which have already established, or are establishing permanent operations in Pittsburgh. We were also excited to host engagements with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), NavalX, DARPA and U.S. Army’s Test and Evaluation Command.

Coalition Members:

Defense Robotics Coalition in Action

Defense Robotics Coalition The Pittsburgh Technology Council has been helping to strengthen connections between Steel City companies and the Nation’s Capital’s defense establishment through the Defense Robotics and Innovation Coalition. Members provide technologies developed to meet commercial customers’ challenges and have dual uses for military applications. Get the whole story here.

Why Join Our Defense Robotics and AI Coalition

Pittsburgh's unrivaled concentration of robotics and AI expertise—spanning 80+ innovative companies—has created a powerful collective that increasingly draws high-level Department of Defense leaders to the region. Our coalition serves as a strategic gateway, connecting military decision-makers directly with the brilliant minds behind autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence breakthroughs that are reshaping defense capabilities.

By orchestrating targeted engagements between defense leadership and our innovation ecosystem, we leverage Pittsburgh's unique transformation from industrial powerhouse to AI and robotics hub. This collaborative approach allows DoD leaders to witness firsthand how our region's technological advancements can address critical battlefield challenges while ensuring America's warfighters maintain technological superiority in an evolving security landscape.

Recent Engagements

Army

U.S. Army Futures Command – Pittsburgh Terrain-Walk – General James Rainey and 50 senior leaders (10 generals) conduct multi-day visit to Pittsburgh – visiting more than 50 companies
U.S. Army Futures Command – Pittsburgh Technology Council leads 18-company delegation of robotics and AI firms to AFC’s HQ in Austin TX– Engagements with:
- Dr. Casey Perley – Director of the Army Applications Lab
- Brigadier General Shane Upton – Contested Logistics
- Dr. Robert Sadowski – Chief Roboticist of the Army
- Sam Spencer Pittman – Director of Corporate Ventures
U.S. Army Applications Laboratory – VERTEX Robotics Summit (10-company delegation to Austin, TX)
U.S. Army Testing and Evaluation Command: Autonomous Vehicle Safety Briefing with Aurora, Edge Case Research and Carnegie Mellon (at AI2C) with 25 Senior Army Officials
U.S. Army PEO for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (Brigadier General Ed Barker and Program Executive Officer Mark Kitz (and 25 other senior leaders) multi-day visit to Pittsburgh
U.S. Army Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal, Science and Technology Director brief 70 Pittsburgh Technology Council members
General John Rafferty, U.S. Army Public Affairs
U.S. Army Applications Laboratory – VERTEX (10-company delegation to Austin, TX)

Navy

Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, Program Executive Officer Ships: Full-day Pittsburgh visit with suppliers and roboticists
Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, Program Executive Officer – Strategic Submarines – Multi-day Pittsburgh visit with technologists and suppliers
Captain Joel Uzarski, Director of Naval X – Technology Roundtable
Command Master Chief Jeffrey Hiscocks (PEO Strategic Submarines) Supplier visits
Chief Technology Officer at Naval Undersea Warfare Center (Newport): Full-day robotics, supplier sessions in Pittsburgh
Gary Shields, Director of the Disruptive Technologies Laboratory at NAVSEA (Carderock) – Briefing and meetings with local roboticists
Graham Chynoweth, Naval X / Office of Strategic Capital – Full day Pittsburgh visit/ Follow-up in Austin Texas
Supplier Forum with Newport News Shipbuilding: Hosted in Pittsburgh

Air Force & Space Force

General David Thompson, U.S. Space Force, Vice Chief of Operations – Multi-day visit – Opens local SpaceWerx/ AFWERX office – briefs 100 technologists
Elliot Leigh, Director of AFWERX – Briefing with local technologists
Colonel Martin Salinas, Chief of the AFWERX Spark Division and Austin HUB leader – Briefing in Austin Texas / Follow-up meeting in Pittsburgh
250 Person AFWERX Delegation -Five day terrain walk in Pittsburgh – Site visits, briefings and meetings with over 300 people
AFWERX Open Office Hours
911th Air Force Reserve Base “Tech Talk” Base Tour – 60 technology companies visit base and local Spark Cell leaders.
171st Air National Guard Refueling Wing – 60 technology companies visit local base and local spark cell leader
Supplier Forum: Sameer Kshirsagar, VP, Supply Chain Anduril
Michael Clark, SES – U.S. Cyber Command – Pittsburgh keynote, CYBURGH

Marines

Marine Innovation Unit: Briefing with 70 local technology firms on Project Dynamis

Department of Defense (DOD) & Cross-Service

Liz McNally – Chief Commercial Officer – Defense Innovation Unit – Full-day Visit
DOD Secretary Mark Esper (former)- Representing Red Cell Ventures, meets with local defense tech start-ups
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Maynard Holliday – Briefing with local technologies on critical technology needs.
Vyshi Suntharalingam, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer at Office of Strategic Capital
Leslie Babich, Director of SOFWERX – Round-table discussion with technologists and invitation to visit Tampa
DARPA

Legislative Briefings

Roundtable with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick
Roundtable with U.S Senator Bob Casey
Roundtable with Congressman Mike Kelly
Roundtable with Congressman Chris Deluzio
Briefing with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlihan
Briefing with U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business
Briefing with Office of Congressman John Fetterman
Briefing with Office of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler

Other Pittsburgh Technology Council Activities

Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council named Honorary Commander 171st Air National Guard
Brian Kennedy selected by the Secretary of Defense for Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC93) – Weeklong engagement with the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Space Force and Coast Guard
Brian Kennedy selected by the Secretary of the Air Force’s 70th annual National Security Forum at the Air War College (weeklong engagement)

Get Involved

To learn more about the Defense Robotics and Innovation Coalition, contact Brian Kennedy at bkennedy@pghtech.org.