Mitchell Institute Workshop Addresses Growing Air and Missile Threats to North America

• •Workshop focused on integrated defense against air and missile threats in North America.
• •Participants included military and industry experts assessing current defense capabilities.
• •Future findings will guide military and policy leaders on actionable defense strategies.

On October 28, 2026, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies hosted a workshop to assess North America's defense against increasing foreign air and missile threats. Experts from NORAD-NORTHCOM, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and other agencies discussed the need for an integrated defense architecture. Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula emphasized that geographical advantages are no longer sufficient for protection. The workshop aimed to identify key components for missile and aircraft interception. Heather Penney noted that the complexity and range of threats are expected to grow, necessitating actionable recommendations for military and policy leaders. Findings from the workshop will contribute to a future report on integrated air and missile defense. This initiative builds on previous research, including a 2025 report on Arctic defense.