Day 1 at the 2025 AUSA exposition [PHOTOS]

A view of a show floor at the 2025 Association of the US Army's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC, Oct. 13, 2025. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year again: Leaves are falling, a chill is in the air and ground vehicles are rolling into the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington. The US Army’s biggest annual trade show is entering uncharted territory as it opens its doors during a government shutdown. If the agenda goes as planned, expect to hear about acquisition reform, rushing new technology to the field and other changes taking shape at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s behest.

Not everything has changed. Industry still hopes to catch the eye of Army acquisition officials with an array of artillery, drones, trucks and more. Check out the sights of the first day of AUSA, and find full coverage of the show here.

Oshkosh Defense debuts its Extreme Multi-Mission Autonomous Vehicle (X-MAV), an “autonomous-capable launcher solution that is engineered to support the future of long-range munitions,” Oct. 13, 2025, at the Association of the US Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Hanwha Aerospace are collaborating on a short takeoff-and-landing version of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Rheinmetall brought its HX Common Tactical Truck, built in partnership with GM Defense, to the Association of the US Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition, Oct. 13, 2025. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Rafael’s Iron Beam is a 100kW-class laser weapon on track for operational use this year. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

BAE Systems is working with the US Army to mature its M109-52 Self-Propelled Howitzer prototype as the service looks to modernize its artillery inventory. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb is based on Boeing’s SDB and Lockheed Martin’s Multiple Launch Rocket System. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

PHOTOS: AUSA 2025

PHOTOS: AUSA 2025

A view of a show floor at the 2025 Association of the US Army's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC, Oct. 13, 2025. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Oshkosh Defense debuts its Extreme Multi-Mission Autonomous Vehicle (X-MAV), an "autonomous-capable launcher solution that is engineered to support the future of long-range munitions," Oct. 13, 2025, at the Association of the US Army's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Rheinmetall brought its HX Common Tactical Truck, built in partnership with GM Defense, to the Association of the US Army's Annual Meeting & Exposition, Oct. 13, 2025. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Saab's Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb is based on Boeing's SDB and Lockheed Martin's Multiple Launch Rocket System. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Hanwha Aerospace are collaborating on a short takeoff-and-landing version of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Rafael's Iron Beam is a 100kW-class laser weapon on track for operational use this year. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

Honeywell's SAMURAI anti-drone system is one of myriad counter-drone technologies on display at AUSA 2025. (Daniel Woolfolk/Breaking Defense)

Hanwha Defense USA pitches its 155 mm, 52-caliber K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer at the Association of the US Army's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC. (Rachel Cohen/Breaking Defense)

Conference attendees try out Trijicon's firearm sights and scopes. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

Attendees roam the halls of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, DC, Oct. 13, 2025. (Daniel Woolfolk/Breaking Defense)

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a contender for the Army's Flight School Next program. (Daniel Woolfolk/Breaking Defense)

GM Defense's Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and can be adapted to carry mortars, counter-drone equipment and more. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

Name a more iconic duo. I'll wait. (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

Epirus’s Leonidas high-powered microwave system is mounted on top of a General Dynamics land vehicle. (Michael Marrow/Breaking Defense)

A four-legged attendee checks whether the infantry carrier variant of BAE Systems' Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle can also carry canines. (Sydney Freedberg/Breaking Defense)