REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEXT AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: IQ Signal Recording: Getting Answers from Big IQ Data, August 6
August 6, 2015  |  1400-1500 EDT (1800-1900 GMT)

Modern EW and commercial RF emitters are designed at baseband using in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) waveforms. Such waveforms are used by analysts, spectrum managers and test engineers to evaluate modern weapon systems prior to deployment. However, in an increasingly congested and contested EMS, real-world waveforms often arrive at their intended receivers distorted from their transmitting source due to external or self-generated interference. To make matters worse, such interfering and non-compliant waveforms are often unpredictable. We do not know when they will occur, where they will appear or how long they will last. In order to fully understand the true nature of these signals, many seconds, minutes or even days of IQ record time may be required to guarantee that 100 percent of the event is captured. Once captured, engineers must wade through mountains of IQ data to validate compliance or understand specific waveform forensics. Signal processing tools must be applied to process these large blocks of recorded spectrum to understand how temporal and, often transient, interference impacts a victim receiver. Recording 100 percent of the IQ events of interest gives the designer and spectrum manager forensic evidence of what actually happened in the electromagnetic domain. And, because these recordings contain 100 percent of the IQ signal content and not just a visual history, the interfering signals provide engineers undeniable proof of the event characteristics. These recordings can also be re-used as IQ signal sources in margin and stress testing new designs.

This briefing will cover some of the big IQ data challenges and solutions facing the spectrum warrior as they work to validate weapon systems and characterize modern threats. It will also look at the implications of emerging threats and how IQ signal recording solutions must evolve to help the warfighter.

Register Now!

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JUST 10 DAYS LEFT to Vote in the AOC Board of Directors Elections

Elections for the AOC Board of Directors are open through next Thursday, July 31. VOTE NOW!

As an AOC member, you have an opportunity to determine the future of the organization.
View the Candidate Slate – PDF
View the Candidate Slate – JED Online

How to vote:
-       Visit the ballot login page at www.electionsonline.com/vote.
-       If you do not know your username and password, submit your email address to have it emailed to you immediately.
-       Once you have your username and password, log in and vote. 

If you need any assistance with this information, please send an email to oneilin@crows so we can provide that information to you.

Deadline to vote is July 31, 2015 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, so don't delay!  

Cast your vote today!

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SIGN UP FOR THE SEPTEMBER AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Webinar
September 3, 2015  |  1400-1500 EDT (1800-1900 GMT)

Software-defined radio (SDR) is a concept which has recently generated significant interest with a number of highly-successful crowd-funding projects recently being completed. But despite this interest, SDR systems do not yet appear to have gained as much traction in the marketplace as their promise seems to suggest they should.

So what is SDR? How does it work? Why does it matter – or not matter? Why does SDR have so much to do with hardware when the word "software" appears in the name? And, most importantly, what does it mean for EW and cyber professionals – if anything? This presentation will attempt to answer these questions.

The concepts underlying SDR will be presented and compared to EW systems. Some representative hardware and software SDR platforms will be briefly discussed as a means of demonstrating how these concepts are realized in practice. One of the main applications of SDR systems is currently education, and suggestions of how SDR systems can improve the training of EW professionals will be presented. Lastly, the concept of "Disposable EW" will be used to show how SDR systems can act as an enabler for new EW concepts.

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MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND: Cyber Electromagnetic Activity 2015, October 6-8, Aberdeen Proving Ground

The International AOC and APG Susquehanna Chapter of the AOC, under a co-sponsorship agreement with Army Team C4ISR APG, will hold the Inaugural CEMA 2015 Conference at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Sessions are open to Five Eye nations.

SECURITY DEADLINE
The deadline for attendees from Five Eye nations to submit their official Request for Visit Authorization is August 11.

Security Details

The theme for the inaugural CEMA 2015 event is "Synchronizing Cyber Electromagnetic Activities to Win in a Complex World." The newly published Army Operating Concept (AOC) emphasizes the importance of ready land forces and their significance to the joint and coalition fight and recognizes the need for continued innovation to "Win in a Complex World." Cyberspace operations, in conjunction with electronic warfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations, are identified in the AOC as one of the seven core Army competency areas critical to shaping the operational environment and winning decisively. Equally new to the Army is the concept of Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), which is outlined in the first doctrinal field manual of its kind that integrates and synchronizes cyberspace operations, electronic warfare (EW) and spectrum management operations (SMO). The CEMA 2015 event will allow for an exchange of ideas, concepts and information; provide a venue to address these new and emerging concepts; and serve as a framework to discuss ongoing and future research and development to set the conditions for innovation and success.

Attending the CEMA 2015 event also will provide the Army and DOD electronic warfare and cyber communities of interest an opportunity to discuss the current and emerging electronic and cyber warfare requirements and meet with coalition partners, industry technicians, engineers, scientists and other government agencies and learn from their successes.

Full Conference Details

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REGISTRATION AND HOUSING NOW OPEN: 52nd Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention
December 1-3 | Marriott Marquis and D.C. Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Registration and Housing are now open for the AOC International Symposium and Convention. Take advantage of early bird discounts until September 21!

Register Today
Housing Information

Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) dominance in the future will require that we synchronize EW and cyber to achieve spectrum dominance. The U.S. Department of Defense, along with its industry partners, face an uncertain global security environment driven by adversaries who recognize that the EMS has become vital to the success of their campaigns. Adversaries are aggressively fielding electronic warfare systems and cyber systems/technologies that significantly erode DoD’s ability to use and control the EMS while conducting military operations. During this year’s symposium we have 12 sessions set up to examine various aspects of the evolving EW and cyber strategic relationship and how they impact the EMS.

KEYNOTE AND MAJOR SPEAKERS

• General John Hyten, Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base
• Air Commodore Madelein Spit, Chief NATO NAFAG, Royal Netherlands Air Force
• General Michael Hayden (Ret.), former Director of the National Security Agency, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• LtGen David Deptula (Ret.), former USAF/A-2
• ADM Michael Rogers (invited), Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency; and Chief, Central Security
• Dr. Paul G. Kaminski, CEO of Technovation Inc., former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Technology, former Chairman of DSB, AOC 2000 Gold Medal awardee and former AOC Senior Advisory Board
• Dr. Mark Mayberry, CTO, MITRE and Former AF Chief Scientist
• Dr. William Roper, Director, Strategic Capabilities Office at Office of the Secretary of Defense
• Dr. Thomas Kennedy, Chairman and CEO, Raytheon Company
• Dr. Jackie Craig, Australia MOD, DSTO, Chief EW & Cyber Division
• Rear Admiral Sean S. Buck, Chief of Staff, J5, The Joint Staff
• Ms. Michele Weslander Quaid, Chief, Innovation Evangelist, Google, Inc.

Symposium Agenda

EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Exhibit space is almost sold out! Secure your spot today. Contact Stew Taylor, taylor@crows.org.

Exhibit Hall Show Hours
Tuesday, December 1: 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm (with reception)
Wednesday, December 2: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm (with lunch and reception)
Thursday, December 3: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (with lunch)

Exhibit Details

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REGISTER NOW: Marine Corps Spectrum Maneuver Warfare, October 28-29, at MCAS Cherry Point

For the last 65 years, the Marine Corps has been a leader and innovator in the field of airborne electronic warfare as technology has advanced and new threats have emerged. Today, as our adversaries become more reliant on the RF spectrum for specialized sensing and networking their platforms, sensors, control systems and weapons and as unmanned aerial systems take on larger roles across the battlefield, the Marine Corps continues to adapt its warriors, systems and capabilities to prosecute spectrum maneuver warfare using airborne systems to exploit the spectrum vulnerabilities of our adversaries, interdict their operations that rely on RF sensors, controls, and connectivity and target and destroy their spectrum-linked fighting systems and capabilities. This Marine Corps Spectrum Maneuver Warfare Symposium will address the Marine Corps challenges, current capabilities and future plans as they continue to evolve their airborne capabilities to fight in the spectrum domain.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS


Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis
Deputy Commandant for Aviation

B. Gen. Dan O'Donohue (Invited)
Commanding General of Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace

Register Now!

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DIXIE CROW CHAPTER: Andersonville Park Ranger Shares History, Experiences of POWs

Ms. Stephanie Steinhorst, acting chief of interpretation and education at Andersonville National Historic Site, was our speaker for the June meeting. For the last four years, she has studied the heart-breaking experiences of prisoners of war throughout history and focused on the history of Camp Sumter Military Prison – called Andersonville – with its stories of both immense tragedy and triumphs of the human spirit.

She began her presentation by first thanking the Dixie Crow Chapter for its great support by placing flags and providing lunch to all the volunteers on May 23. There were a total of 20,000 flags placed this year.

Ms. Steinhorst also spoke of an upcoming event to be held at the historic site later this year called a Funeral for 13,000. On September 19, 2015, Andersonville National Cemetery will host a ceremony to remember the nearly 13,000 American soldiers who died while being held captive at Andersonville prison. These soldiers are part of the 56,000 Americans who died as prisoners of war during the Civil War, and this service will be the funeral they never received. Ms. Steinhorst also added that, as one of the 14 National Cemeteries administered by the National Park Service, Andersonville National Cemetery remains open and active for burials. It is the largest National Park cemetery, and they average about 200 burials per year.

Andersonville National Historic Site is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.

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THREAT ASSESSMENT: Eighth Asymmetric Threat Symposium Report Now Available
Report Highlights Significant Threats to American Security and Technological Superiority

The Association of Old Crows (AOC), CACI International Inc. and the Center for Security Policy (CSP) are pleased to announce the release of Cyber, Electronic Warfare, and Critical Infrastructure Strategies for National Security, the report of the eighth symposium in the Asymmetric Threat symposia series co-sponsored by AOC, CACI and CSP.

Summarizing discussions from the symposium held under the Chatham House rule of non-attribution, this report considers how the United States might be affected should its critical infrastructure fail as the result of an attack or natural disaster, the role cyber and electronic warfare play in infrastructure protection and what steps are being taken to improve America’s resilience in the face of those threats. Copies of the report may be downloaded here.

 

INDIA CHAPTER: Report from the Third National EW Workshop India – EWWI 2015

The India Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) has concluded the Third National EW Workshop India – EWWI 2015, a three-day intensive workshop at NSSC, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The workshop was the third in the very popular EWWI series, imparting training for the latest developments in the EW field. In addition, it provided a great opportunity for the EW Community in India to come together on a common platform.
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DEFENSE BUDGET: AOC Applauds EW Funding in FY 2016 Defense Authorization Bills

As the FY 2016 defense budget process is well underway in Congress, the Association of Old Crows (AOC) applauds the growing level of support in Congress for priority Electronic Warfare (EW) programs. The House passed H.R. 1735, its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, on May 15 by a vote of 269-151. That same day, the Senate Armed Services Committee reported the Senate version, S. 1376, which was offered as a Senate amendment to H.R. 1735 and passed on June 18 by a vote of 71-25. The House and Senate conferees are currently in the process of merging the differing bills into a conference report. (AOC)
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CONGRATULATIONS to the 2015 AOC Award Winners

AOC will recognize the premier leaders in EW, IO and EMS Operations fields throughout our 52nd Annual Symposium and Convention. Please join us in celebrating these award winners for their exemplary service to our community.

The Gold Medal Award is the highest award given by the AOC for outstanding advances and contributions in all fields of EW and IO. The Gold Medal Award will be presented during the Opening Session on Tuesday, December 1.

The Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal Award is presented to an AOC member to recognize outstanding service in furthering the goals of the Association or its Chapter Organization(s). It is the highest award given to a member for service to the AOC.

The Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal, the  Colonel Anton D. Brees Lifetime Service Awards and the Joseph W. Kearney Award will be presented at the Annual Banquet on Wednesday, December 2. All other Individual awards will be presented throughout the week in the exhibit hall.

View the List

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INDUSTRY NEWS: Marine Corps Developing Low-Cost Robot Swarms to Counter Enemy Drones

As the technology for unmanned systems proliferates, one of the biggest challenges facing the military today is countering small, inexpensive drones used by the enemy in unexpected ways, said a Marine Corps official. "Growth in [unmanned system] capabilities, coupled with their affordability and accessibility, make it increasingly more difficult to identify how our potential adversaries will employ these systems," said Jeff Tomczak, director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s science and technology division. "Based upon our success in using unmanned systems, we know that the enemy is adapting and, to a larger degree, openly purchasing similar technology to use on tomorrow’s battlefield." (National Defense)
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INDUSTRY NEWS: Nellis AFB Hosting Red Flag Through July 31

Southern Nevada residents may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force conducts Red Flag 15-3 from July 13-31. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air, space and cyber forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is hosted north of Las Vegas on the Nevada Test and Training Range – the U.S. Air Force’s premier military training area, with more than 15,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land. (Second Line of Defense)
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INDUSTRY NEWS: Pentagon Asks Congress to Reverse Decision to Add 12 Super Hornets for Navy

The Office of the Secretary of Defense has asked Congress to remove the dozen Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets lawmakers added to the defense authorization bills, hoping that $1.15 billion could pay for other priorities. In March, the Navy included the 12 fighter jets in its Unfunded Requirements List, which outlines the service’s lingering needs not included in the president’s budget request. (USNI News)
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INDUSTRY NEWS: Army Addressing an Emerging threat: Drones as IEDs

While the private sector promotes the myriad commercial opportunities for drones of all shapes and sizes, this proliferation has some in the military and security sector worried. The U.S. still maintains a monopoly on weaponized, unmanned, aerial vehicles and places stringent export policies on sharing this technology with partners. However, officials worry that smaller UAVs could serve as flying, improvised explosive devices. (Defense Systems)
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INDUSTRY NEWS: BAE Makes Case for Defense as Military Spending Review Looms

BAE Systems Plc said a surge in Russian military spending following the annexation of Crimea and the importance of the defense industry to the U.K. economy should be key considerations in a review of Britain’s security needs. Russia’s arms budget is increasing by 30 percent each year and is set to reach an annual $62 billion – the highest since the Soviet Union's collapse. Therefore, declining investment in key systems among North Atlantic Treaty Organization members should be higher on political agendas, BAE Chairman Roger Carr said. (Bloomberg)
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INDUSTRY NEWS: First in, Last Out: Local Airmen Recall Their Days as "Wild Weasels"

In the early days of the Vietnam War, American aircraft were able to fly pretty much at will over the thickly forested Vietnam countryside, where bombing strikes were pounding North Vietnamese targets with ease. All that changed, however, on July 24, 1965, when a surface-to-air missile (SAM) brought down an American F-4. Suddenly, the North Vietnamese had the ability to bring down American aircraft thanks to missiles they received from the Soviet Union and China. (NWF Daily News)
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