ARA 2026
75th Meeting of the ARA
Aeroballistic Range Association | August 23–28, 2026 | Dream Inn | Santa Cruz, CA
Hadland Imaging has the honor of hosting the ARA 2026, 75th Meeting of the ARA in Santa Cruz, California at the Dream Inn.
ARA 2026 Registration Now Open
Click here to get your ARA 2026 tickets at eventbrite.com!
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TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR:
ARA Members, ARA Nonmembers (general admission) & ARA Fellows
Exhibitors & Additional Exhibitors – learn more about becoming an ARA 2026 sponsor
Students & Companions (significant others & friends)
What are ARA Annual Meetings?
Since its inception in 1961, the ARA (Aeroballistic Range Association) has served as a meeting point for facilities engaged in research and development using guns and related launchers. The ARA annual meetings are attended by an international group of scientists and engineers from government, academia, and industry involved in various aspects of maintaining, upgrading, and utilizing launcher technology for a variety of research applications, mostly involving defense or aerospace applications. The meeting is primarily composed of technical talks presented by ARA members.
Information about facility design, instrumentation development and range operations is shared among the membership through informal papers presented at annual meetings held at member facilities.
Topics covered include:
- Ballistic Range Operation
- Instrumentation for Studying Dynamic Mechanical Events
- Exterior & Terminal Ballistics Research Technology
- Development of Research Launchers
- Evaluation of Range Accidents
- Impact Mechanics & Shock Physics Research Technology
- Evaluation of High-Speed Vehicle Flight Characteristics
- Armor Development Technology
- Non-Classical Applications of Gun-Related Testing
ARA Executive Committee
Chair: Jérôme Mespoulet, Thiot Ingenierie
Chair Elect: David Strange, Physics Applications Inc.
Treasurer: Scott Alexander, Sandia National Laboratories
Secretary: Robin Putzar, Ernst Mach Institute
Past Chair: Brad Davis, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratories
Click to learn about the ARA 2026 Student Participation Program & $2,000 student awards.
EXTENDED
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
July 1, 2026
ARA EXHIBIT B: Written Manuscript Guidelines
Download Microsoft Word documents.
About Hadland Imaging
Experience the Invisible™ with ultra high-speed visible, infrared, schlieren & Flash X-ray imaging solutions in the lab & in the field. Imaging solutions include the latest in high-speed and ultra high-speed video cameras, material & high strain rate testing machines, LED & short-pulsed laser illumination, analysis systems & software from Shimadzu, Scandiflash, Phantom, FLIR, Mikrotron, SVS Vistek, REL, Oxford Lasers, AMOtronics, MatchID & more. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, with offices in Southern California, New Jersey and the United Kingdom – providing consultation, sales, support, service & training with a staff of imaging specialists & engineers.
The Vault @ Hadland Imaging, our R&D training facility located in Santa Cruz, CA, featuring high-speed and ultra high-speed cameras, Flash X-ray systems, schlieren imaging, single-stage gas gun & experiment tank, material testing machines, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar/Kolsky Bar System, vibration tables & more for research & hands-on experience.
BETTER GEAR. BETTER RESULTS.
We have the gear & knowledge you need to get the job done right.
A Santa Cruz favorite for surfing, sunsets and the freshest seafood,
the Dream Inn is a beloved local landmark on the historic Beach Boardwalk.
175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
phone: 831-740-8069
Reserve your room today!
Nearest Airports
ARA 2026 Program
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Dream Ballroom
Dream Inn
4:00–10:00 PM
ARA 2026 Exhibitor Set Up & Welcome Reception
Monday, August 24, 2026
Dream Ballroom
Dream Inn
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 AM – Noon
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
Noon–1:00 PM
Lunch Buffet
1:00–5:00 PM
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Dream Ballroom
Dream Inn
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 AM – Noon
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
Noon–1:00 PM
Lunch Buffet
1:00–5:00 PM
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Monterey Excursion
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet @ Dream Inn
9:00–10:30 AM
Board Buses & Travel to Monterey, CA
10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Naval Postgraduate School
Lab Tour & Test Observation
12:30–5:00 PM
Lunch @ Monterey Bay Aquarium
5:00 PM
Board Buses & Return to Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Dream Ballroom
Dream Inn
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 AM – Noon
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
Noon–1:00 PM
Lunch Buffet
1:00–5:00 PM
ARA 2026 Conference & Meetings
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6:30–11:00 PM
ARA 2026 Banquet
Friday, August 28, 2026
Dream Ballroom
Dream Inn
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 AM – Noon
ARA Business Meeting & Closing Remarks
Noon–1:00 PM
Lunch Buffett
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Special ARA Tour
2:00 PM till ?
The Vault @ Hadland Imaging
Tour & Test Observation
Hadland Imaging
1414 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062
ARA 2026 Sponsors/Exhibitors
Your Golden Opportunity @ ARA 2026!
Register as an Exhibitor and become an ARA 2026 sponsor. Showcase your products & services in front of industry professionals, scientists, engineers, researchers & students during the 75th Meeting of the ARA. Register additional company personnel as Additional Exhibitor to assist you at ARA 2026!
Exhibitor Registration Receives:*
- Single registration to ARA 2026
- Sponsor logo on ARA 2026 website with outbound link to website
- 10’W x 6’D Booth at ARA 2026 with table, chairs & electricity
- One color page in printed ARA 2026 program (8 x 10 inches, PDF)
- ARA 2026 SWAG Bag Stuffer – US Letter or A4 printed promo materials, up to 4 pages
- Display company presentation on info screens during conference
Bonus Exhibitor Opportunity!
Opportunity to demo your equipment with Dr. Raymond Gamache, at the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Materials Research during the Monterey Excursion on Wednesday, August 26th.
Contact us for more info about this opportunity.
* More information to come.
Get the Exhibitor ticket to sponsor ARA 2026.
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Select the Additional Exhibitor ticket for additional personnel to help promote your company!
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Click here to get your tickets at eventbrite.com!
See the latest tech & imaging solutions from our sponsors @ ARA 2026!
Extended
Application Deadline:
July 1, 2026
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Award Notifications by July 20, 2026
(Early applicants will be notified
by June 29, 2026)
ARA 2026 Student Participation Program
The Aeroballistics Range Association (ARA) is offering a Student Participation Program for the 75th Annual Meeting of the ARA in Santa Cruz, CA. The program supports scholars interested in experimental ballistics research by offering selected students $2,000 in travel support and complimentary participation in conference activities. Eligible participants include registered senior undergraduate & graduate students with an interest in pursuing a career in ballistics or related disciplines.
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Selected students will receive:
$2,000 in funding;
opportunity to present their research;
full participation in conference activities.
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Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn,
& showcase your work with leaders in the field!
Application Deadline & Requirements
EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 1, 2026.
Awards notification by July 20, 2026.
To apply, students are required to submit the following:
- Student & academic advisor’s contact information.
- Letter outlining reasons for participation.
- Letter of recommendation from academic advisor.
- Detailed abstract of research paper to be presented.
Download the ARA 2026 Student Participation Program PDF for more information & application instructions.
ARA 2026 Contact Form
Contact us with any questions or issues.
All fields required.