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The Reason the U.S. Air Force Needs to Upgrade the F-15 Fast Industry News AOC News & Events AOC Chapter News and Events

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DON'T MISS NEXT WEEK'S WEBINAR: Wideband Frequency Conversion and Characterization, February 2
Thursday, February 2, 14:00-15:00 EST | 19:00-20:00 UTC

The frequency converter is a key component in heterodyne systems including radars, communication systems, and EW systems. Advanced electronic systems utilize wide instantaneous bandwidth and wide tuning bandwidth for several reasons. In radar, bandwidth translates into range resolution, while in communications applications, bandwidth is related to symbol data rate. Electronic warfare (EW) deals with either protecting, disrupting or intercepting these radar or communications functions. For example, LPI waveforms utilize wide bandwidth with either frequency hopping or spreading. A wideband, fast tuning jammer or receiver is necessary to counter LPI waveforms in radar or comms applications.

This webinar discusses common frequency converter architectures and design tradeoffs, including multi-stage frequency conversion. We discuss unique features of upconversion systems versus downconverters. Example discussed include X-band (8-12 GHz) converters, 2-18 converters and Ka-band converters with up to 1 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth. We also discuss digital conversion systems, which when combined with wideband frequency converters give rise to system applications such as digital receiver/exciters (DREXs), communication modems and digital RF memories (DRFMs). Characterization of wideband frequency conversion systems will be discussed, with an emphasis on measurement of key parameters such as spurious-free dynamic range, P1dB, IP3, phase noise, harmonics and LO leakage. Finally, we discuss phase coherence of a multi-channel frequency conversion system, which is useful in phased array, MIMO and direction-finding (DF) applications.

Register Now

AOC's Virtual Series is also available on-demand wherever and whenever you want. Visit the Virtual Series On-Demand webinar page for access to our full catalog.

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NOMINATIONS DUE MARCH 1 for 2017 AOC International Elections

The AOC is accepting nominations for the 2017 elections to the Board of Directors and for president-elect of the Association. You all are in a great position to help to shape and decide the future of the Association of Old Crows! Nominations will be accepted beginning now through March 1st, 2017. Elections begin on September 1st, 2017 and will end on September 30th, 2017.

In addition to selecting our next President (vice president in 2018 followed by their two-year presidential term), this year's elections include two At Large Director positions, each for a three-year term. Also, three Regional Directors will be elected for their three (3)-year terms as well — one each from the Mountain-Western Region, the Northeastern Region, and the Southern Region. These five new directors and the president-elect will be installed at the 2017 Symposium & Convention in Washington DC.

Click HERE to access the Nomination Form. Nomination information must be received at AOC HQ by close-of-business on March 1st. Nomination forms are available at crows.org, or by contacting Glorianne O'Neilin.

Please direct all questions to the N&E committee:

Dave Hime – davehat1407@gmail.com
Glorianne O'Neilin – oneilin@crows.org

Forms can be submitted:
Via fax: (703) 549-2589
Via email: oneilin@crows.org

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DRAFT AGENDA RELEASED: 46th Annual Collaborative EW Symposium, April 25-27, Pt. Mugu, CA
"Collaborative Electronic Warfare: Enabling Collaborative EW Through Innovation and Invention"

As EW warfighting requirements continue to evolve in their complexity and interdependency, it is clear that future EW systems must work collaboratively with other Air, Ground, Surface Space and Cyberspace systems. The 46th Annual Point Mugu Electronic Warfare Symposium will facilitate the exchange of enabling concepts and provide a venue to disseminate current research in the fields of Collaborative Electronic Warfare. Prominent leaders, contributors and representatives from the United States and Australian military, government, academia, and industry will come together to address current Electronic Warfare gaps and emerging technologies in Collaborative Electronic Warfare required to address these gaps.

View the Conference Page for the Draft Agenda

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
     

Rear Admiral Christian "Boris" Becker
Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence and Program Executive Officer for Space Systems

More Details

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REGISTER NOW: AOC EW Europe - Advancing EW and Electromagnetic Operations Together, June 6-8

AOC EW Europe will be held in perhaps the world’s most iconic city – London. It will consider the future of EW and EM Operations in the changing light of current and emerging threats, including Hybrid Warfare and Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) where potential opponents are out-performing the West. It will consider the possible responses and how thinking and attitudes must change and examine the new capabilities that will be required across all lines of development, by all services, in all countries in the free world.

The conference will include plenary sessions and twin-tracks focusing respectively on operations, capability and defence lines of development, and industry developments and inventiveness. AOC EW Europe 2017 will bring together the communities involved in EW, SIGINT, C4ISR, Cyber EM Activities (CEMA) and more. Speakers will include leaders and operators from the military, government, academia, S&T and R&D communities and, crucially industry. This is an unclassified truly-global EW networking, exhibition, workshop and conference and not to be missed.

Register Now

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PLAN NOW TO ATTEND: International & Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Electronic Warfare Symposium and Workshop, May 15-19 in Atlanta
U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) of sensitive military technologies, like Electronic Warfare, can be difficult to understand and navigate for International Partners and U.S. Defense Industry. U.S. Export laws, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), requirements for Export Licenses, and in some cases Congressional approval can be confusing and complicate the sale of EW systems and associated technical support. This conference provides an educational opportunity and forum for US Government, U.S. Defense Industry, Academia. and International partners to share information and provide updates on FMS and DCS program policy, processes, and improvements.

Symposium Page

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DIXIE CROW SYMPOSIUM 42: Join us in Warner Robins March 19-23

Our Symposium Committee, Dixie Crow Chapter President, and Chapter Directors cordially invite you to join us for all the exciting events at the Dixie Crow 42nd EW/IO Technical Symposium, March 19-23 in Warner Robins, GA. The Dixie Crow EW/IO Technical Symposium is pending approval by SAF/AA. AFLCMC/WNY is co-hosting the Symposium’s AF Technical Program and Short Courses with the Dixie Crow Chapter of the AOC.

Stay tuned for more information.

Conference Page

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Secure Your 2017 AOC Sponsorships
How do you reach more customers in the Electromagnetic Warfare community? The AOC! To maximize your impact in 2017, begin securing your sponsorship positions today. When you strategically plan out your year with the AOC, you can realize significant savings.

Check out our updated sponsorship catalog below.  

Sponsorship Catalog

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VISIT THE AOC JOB VACANCIES PAGE: Post Your Jobs
Employers can post on the Job Vacancies page for free. Follow the guide located HERE to provide information on posting a job listing. Submitted listings will remain live for 30 days. The AOC will not format or edit submitted postings, and will not respond to any questions from candidates concerning postings. We are hoping that members and sponsors will take advantage of this free AOC service. Complete the guide linked above and submit to Tim Hutchison at hutchison@crows.org.

Job Vacancies Page

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The Pentagon’s soon-to-be published Electronic Warfare strategy calls for increased investment in advanced electronic warfare technology designed to defend U.S. assets and proactively use the electromagnetic spectrum to attack enemies. DOD officials say the new strategy will be signed and distributed in the next two months, with additional annexes expected to be ready by Summer, 2017. (The National Interest)
Learn More...

 

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Soon after President Donald Trump took the oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution," the White House posted two documents declaring they would boost the size of the Navy and Air Force, increase our offensive and defensive cyber capabilities and end sequestration. In the first document, Making Our Military Strong Again, the Trump Administration declares that the U.S. "cannot allow other nations to surpass our military capability" and will "pursue the highest level of military readiness." (Breaking Defense)
Learn More...

 

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Tiny drones could scout high-rise buildings and underground tunnels for possible threats to US troops in cities of the future. But instead of spending years cooking up the necessary drone technologies in military research labs, the Pentagon might be better off shopping for the latest civilian drones coming soon to stores. US military leaders have discussed the need for a new generation of scout drones for some time. (Wired)
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In the November 1956 Army magazine Lt. Col Robert Rigg portrayed a soldier of the "Futurarmy" of the 1970s. This soldier would swarm with his comrades to the battlefield in atomic aircraft, see the enemy clearly at night and in all weather conditions, wear light plastic bulletproof armor (with special pockets to store cigarettes), be informed by thousands of deployed sensors, and have supplies transported by a fleet of robots. He was obviously way off the mark for the time frame he targeted, but much of what he envisioned can still be found in predictions of future soldier capabilities. (War on the Rocks)
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Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division Commanding Officer Capt. JT Elder was named the Laboratory Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) on Friday. Each year since 1999, the FLC National Advisory Council has honored Laboratory Directors who have made outstanding contributions to support technology transfer (T2) activities in their organizations and the communities they serve. Capt. Elder earned this year's award because of his unwavering support of NSWC Crane's T2 efforts. (WBIW)
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There has been a recent flurry of press attention on OA-X, an Air Force effort to obtain off-the-shelf light attack aircraft. Sen. McCain’s recent publication of Restoring American Power — which calls for the Air Force to acquire 300 light attack aircraft — will no doubt intensify interest in the idea, with many constituencies trying to define OA-X for their own benefit and profit. Appearing to emerge out of the blue, the idea has garnered some degree of instant opposition, not all of it informed. The OA-X is already well-defined. It is the result of an effort that started nine years ago in the height of the surge in Iraq and is regaining currency as a result of the expanding use of airpower to engage violent extremist organizations in the Middle East and elsewhere. (War on the Rocks)
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The next six years will bring numerous offensive and defensive capabilities to the surface fleet, culminating in Fiscal Year 2023 when the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (DDG-51) reaches initial operational capability and the first frigate delivers to the fleet, the director of surface warfare (OPNAV N96) said last week. Surface warfare advances in both the small and large surface combatant, that operate in the air, surface and undersea domains, will help move the Navy towards realizing its vision of distributed lethality, where every ship the Navy sails could pose a serious enough threat that an adversary couldn’t ignore any of them. (USNI News)
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