Day 2 of AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference [Photos]

AFA 2025 — It’s space day at AFA!

Space Force leaders past and present offered a look at where America’s newest military service is headed as competition in the cosmos heats up. “Delivering today’s systems is critical, but we’re also building the architecture of the future and making sure we’re prepared for what our adversaries might do next,” said Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s top officer.

Take a look at some of the main stage speakers from day two, plus more aircraft on display downstairs.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman gives his keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md., Sept. 23, 2025. (Jud McCrehin/AFA)Jay Raymond (left), former Space Force chief of space operations, and David Thompson, former vice chief of space operations, speak on a panel moderated by Nina Armagno, former Space Force staff director, Sept. 23, 2025. (Jud McCrehin/Air & Space Forces Association)A model of Saab-Boeing’s T-7 Red Hawk jet trainer, Sept. 23, 2025. (Daniel Woolfolk/Breaking Defense)A 1/6th-size model of the Hermeus supersonic jet sits below a live feed of the company’s production line in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 23, 2025. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)Shield AI’s V-BAT vertical takeoff-and-landing drone, sits on display, Sept. 23, 2025. (Daniel Woolfolk/Breaking Defense)Griffon Aerospace displays its Valiant vertical takeoff-and-landing drone, designed for field reconnaissance on the go, Sept. 23, 2025. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)Trac9 shows its Advanced Deployable Aircraft Mobile System, a portable hangar, Sept. 23, 2025. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)