Fourth annual summit brings an expected 450 attendees and more than 40 vendors and live demonstrations to Harrisburg Aug. 25–27; proceeds fund student scholarships
HARRISBURG, PA — J-DAMMIT 2026, the Joint-Defense Advanced Manufacturing Meeting for Innovation and Transition, will bring defense leaders, manufacturers, technology providers, educators, and advanced manufacturing professionals to Harrisburg for three days of hands-on demonstrations, technical learning, and collaboration Aug. 25–27.
Hosted by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and STORMWERX, its Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, J-DAMMIT is built on a premise that sets it apart from traditional technical conferences: attendees do not watch from an audience. They work inside the manufacturing environment itself, rotating through guided demonstrations and interactive labs led by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) operators, technology experts, and industry professionals. The programming is deliberately defense-focused. Demonstrations are framed around problems the Warfighter faces at the point of need.
Now in its fourth year, J-DAMMIT has grown from 250 attendees at its inaugural summit in 2023 to an expected 450 participants in 2026. The event is intentionally capped to preserve the personal, hands-on experience that has become its hallmark.
This year’s event will feature more than 40 vendors and demonstrations spanning additive manufacturing (3D printing), computer numerical control (CNC) machining, aluminum casting, welding, and expeditionary manufacturing solutions.
This year also marks a first in the summit’s history: an industry partner will use J-DAMMIT as the stage for a public technology debut. Homefront Manufacturing, which builds secure, high-performance 3D printing systems for demanding environments, will unveil its newest additive manufacturing technology live at the event. Attendees will also get hands-on with large-format, high-speed 3D printing from Pantheon and Sentinel, whose engineers are known for printing a motorcycle in one day and racing it the next.
New this year, J-DAMMIT 2026 will also feature drone racing on Aug. 27, adding a competitive dimension to the summit’s hands-on programming.
New this year, J-DAMMIT 2026 will also feature drone racing, adding a competitive dimension to the summit’s hands-on programming. Don’t miss it on August 27! Members of the media are highly encouraged to attend.
“J-DAMMIT is designed to get people out of the audience and into the action,” said Emily Mallis, project coordinator for Harrisburg University’s STORMWERX. “The goal is not simply to talk about what advanced manufacturing can do. We want participants to experience technology, ask questions, build relationships, and leave with ideas they can take back to their organizations.”
The event is made possible through industry collaboration, led by five-star sponsor Phillips Corporation. This year, Phillips is deepening that commitment with a $25,000 scholarship supporting advanced manufacturing education at Harrisburg University. J-DAMMIT’s sponsorship model helps keep the event accessible to participants while creating opportunities for companies to demonstrate their technologies directly to professionals who are evaluating advanced manufacturing solutions.
J-DAMMIT’s impact extends beyond the event itself. Students from Harrisburg University and partner institutions will present their research in a dedicated poster session alongside industry and government experts, and proceeds support advanced manufacturing student scholarships at Harrisburg University.
“Building a stronger defense industrial base requires more than technology; it requires people who understand how to use it,” said LJ Holmes, executive director of STORMWERX. “J-DAMMIT brings those two pieces together by connecting students, educators, manufacturers, and defense professionals in one environment.”
Registration is open now. As J-DAMMIT continues to grow, organizers remain focused on its original mission: expanding American manufacturing capacity and capability by putting the people who need the technology directly in front of it.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Director of Communications for Harrisburg University, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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