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.
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
ARA 2026 Program and Registration info coming soon.
Learn about the ARA 2026 Student Participation Program & $2,000 student awards.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
June 12, 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 Sponsors
Application Deadline:
June 12, 2026
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Award Notifications 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
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 12, 2026.
Awards notification by June 29, 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.