Military, government, industry and academic leaders gathered at the Central Florida Tech Grove on Sept. 17, 2026, for TechNet Orlando 2026, a forum focused on advancing modeling, simulation, training and readiness across the defense enterprise.
The inaugural event showcased how artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, digital engineering and immersive technologies are rapidly transforming the way U.S. forces prepare for future operations.
Hosted by AFCEA in the nation’s premier hub for defense training innovation, TechNet Orlando drew representatives from Team Orlando, Tech Grove, CPE ST3, DIU, the National Center for Simulation, Defense Health Agency, University of Central Florida, Army Contracting Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager Training Systems, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation, and numerous industry partners supporting the joint training mission.
Keynote speaker Lee James III, SES, deputy capability program executive for CPE ST3, emphasized the Army’s shift toward faster, more integrated capability delivery.
“We have entered a combat environment characterized by unrelenting speed, persistent multi-sensor observation, hyper-competition, and automated lethality,” James said. “That is why acquisition is no longer a back-office support activity. Across the United States Army and the Department, acquisition is now recognized and operationally executed as a warfighting function.”
James outlined how modernization efforts, including AI‑driven training systems, cloud‑native LVC architectures, agentic behaviors, digital twins and unified data ecosystems, are essential to ensuring Soldiers receive realistic, adaptable training that reflects contested, multi-domain environments.
“We are converging our live, virtual, and constructive capability sets, moving away from distinct silos, running on local hardware racks with unique software baselines towards a converged global training environment that enables a persistent, integrated training capability at the point of need,” James said.
James also talked about CPE ST3’s renewed emphasis on program protection planning, as well as the need to ensure training system compatibility with international partners and allies.
“Everything we do, every contract, every prototype, every requirement, every simulation, every threat model, every training device, converges on a single, sacred purpose: To ensure the United States Soldier is trained, equipped, and prepared to win, decisively. We owe them overmatch,” James said. “This is our generational moment; this is our inflection point; let us keep the Soldier at the center, as we build the future of warfighter readiness together.”
Attendees also heard from Dr. Daniel Daniels, chief information security officer and director of cybersecurity for CPE ST3, who provided a progress update on how cybersecurity compliance, automation and generative AI are converging to strengthen Army cyber readiness and accelerate RMF-driven modernization.
“The inherent call to action is we need some help here,” said Daniels. “I know there are smart folks out there. If you think you have a solution to this, I would love to hear what you have to say, so let's connect, and let's get to work.”
Throughout the event, speakers highlighted Orlando’s unique role as a national center of excellence for defense training and simulation, where military organizations, federal agencies, research institutions and industry innovators collaborate to advance training realism, digital transformation and mission‑focused capability development.
TechNet Orlando provided industry partners opportunities to engage directly with government decision-makers, program leaders and acquisition professionals, strengthening partnerships that support rapid innovation and modernized training solutions for the Joint Force.
AFCEA is an international organization that serves its members by providing a forum for the ethical exchange of information focusing on information technology, communications, and electronics for the defense, homeland security and intelligence communities.
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, CPE ST3 is comprised of a highly skilled and diverse workforce of 980 Soldiers, Army civilians and contractors, who work with Army partners to enhance operational readiness and support the Army’s modernization efforts by fielding and sustaining the next generation of multi-domain operations testing, training and information operations capabilities.