HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 27, 2018)-- "Modernizing and Equipping America's Army for Today and Tomorrow" is this year's theme at the Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium & Exposition held March 26-28 in Huntsville, Ala.

In October 2017, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley announced the Army's six modernization priorities including long-range precision fires, a next-generation combat vehicle, future vertical lift platforms, a mobile and expeditionary Army network, air and missile defense capabilities, and Soldier lethality.

As a significant contributor of Army modernization, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center plays a key role in this year's conference.

AMRDEC Director Dr. Juanita Harris presented twice March 26 discussing Future Vertical Lift as well as collaboration in support of Long Range Precision Fires and Air & Missile Defense.

"Modernization strategy has one focus: make Soldiers and units more lethal to win our Nation's wars and come home safely," Harris said. "AMRDEC supports three of the six modernization priorities including long-range precision fires, future vertical lift platforms, and air and missile defense capabilities. As we move forward, we will work well with our partners and customers to make sure the Warfighter receives the capabilities they need."

During a question and answer session, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville explained more about the anticipated Army Futures Command, designed to integrate the future operational environment, threat, and technologies.

"At some point, we have to go to a higher level of technology to maintain a competitive advantage," McConville said. "We're not trying to fight the next fight better, we're trying to win the next one."

So far, the three-day event has featured presentations from Army leadership including keynote remarks from the Secretary of the Army, the Undersecretary of the Army, and the Vice Chief of Staff. Panel discussions are scheduled throughout the conference which will end March 28.

The Global Force Symposium and Exposition combines the interests and ideas of Warfighters and senior Army leaders with organizations in the defense industry. The symposium also invites leaders from academia and industry to provide a professional development forum that allows participants to learn, network, and move the Army forward.

AMRDEC technologies featured at the event include the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator, Low-Cost Extended Range Air Defense, and Modular Missile Technology.

An agenda and more information can be found at http://ausameetings.org/globalforce2018/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/03/2018GF-Agenda_Current-3.pdf

Live streaming of the main presentations are available at http://www.amc.army.mil/media/watch

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U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center is operationally aligned to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, and administratively aligned to the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. This joint alignment established a closely woven research, development, acquisition, and sustainment team to provide increased responsiveness to the nation's Warfighters. AMRDEC has the mission to deliver collaborative and innovative aviation and missile capabilities for responsive and cost-effective research, development and life cycle engineering solutions.