47G’s annual Utah Aerospace & Defense Day (Salt Lake City, UT) convenes 50-plus exhibitors, live drone demos, and industry leaders at the Capitol, spotlighting AI, robotics, space, and advanced manufacturing innovation, statewide ecosystem impact.
Salt Lake City, Utah – January 26, 2026
47G will host its annual Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on the Hill on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, bringing Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem to the center of state policymaking. The premier annual event will feature more than 50 interactive exhibits representing nearly 100 companies across the state’s fast-growing aerospace, defense, and advanced technology sectors.
Held in the Utah State Capitol Rotunda and South Steps, the event offers legislators, industry leaders, and the public a hands-on look at next-generation technologies shaping national security, space exploration, and advanced manufacturing. Exhibits will showcase innovations including artificial intelligence breakthroughs, virtual flight experiences, advanced robotics, 3D printing, delivery drones, and space-grade materials.
This year’s event will feature nearly 50 interactive exhibits and over 100 aerospace and defense companies across the 47G ecosystem, showcasing innovations ranging from virtual flight experiences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and 3D printing to delivery drones, robotics, space exploration materials and energy technologies. Exhibitors include global national security leaders such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems; Utah-based innovators including Fortem Technologies, Torus and ElectraFly; and leading academic institutions such as Weber State University.
“Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem is helping to define the technologies that will protect our nation, strengthen our economy and power the future,” said Aaron Starks, President and CEO of 47G. “Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on Capitol Hill is about more than showcasing innovation—it’s about creating meaningful dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers to ensure our state remains globally competitive while advancing national security priorities.”
Attendees will also see a live demonstration of the Vector Dagger drone, showcasing advanced detection and situational awareness capabilities designed for complex defense and security environments. The Vector Dagger is a 3.5 inch one-way internal clearance quadcopter designed to neutralize threats while reducing risk to friendly operators. Inherently modular, it allows for rapid integration of sensors and payloads to meet any mission requirement.
Founded by warfighters for warfighters, Utah-based Vector delivers combat-ready defense technology designed for real-world conditions. Led by former Army Special Operations commander Andy Yakulis, Vector is a shining example on how Utah’s business-friendly environment enables ideas to rapidly turn proven operational concepts into scalable defense capabilities.
Utah Aerospace and Defense Day is designed to foster direct engagement between policymakers and the companies driving innovation and economic growth across the state. The event underscores the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government to support workforce development, regulatory clarity, and continued competitiveness in global aerospace and defense markets.
Speakers and attendees include leaders from across Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem, including 47G President and CEO Aaron Starks; Utah Senator Ann Millner, co-chair of the Aerospace and Defense Caucus; Brad Wilson, 47G Board Chair and CEO of the Salt Lake City–Utah 2034 Winter and Paralympic Games; and Andrew Yakulis, President and CEO of Vector.
Interactive exhibits will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offering a rare opportunity to experience Utah-built technologies firsthand and engage directly with the leaders advancing one of the state’s most strategically important industries.
“Utah’s aerospace and defense industry is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and a source of opportunity for Utah families. It represents nearly one-fifth of our economy, supports hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs and brings in about $100 billion to our economy each year,” said Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams. “We have a responsibility to be good stewards of this strength by investing in our people, keeping Utah competitive and building the infrastructure our future depends on. When we do that, we give Utah companies the freedom to innovate, grow and compete worldwide, while creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of Utahns.”
Learn more here.
