DON'T MISS TODAY'S AOC VIRTUAL SERIES WEBINAR: Gallium Nitride (GaN) & High Power Amps, 2 P.M. EST
1400-1500 EST (1900-2000 GMT)
Improvements in GaN power semiconductor technology and modular design are making possible high power continuous wave (CW) and pulsed amplifiers at microwave frequencies. GaN is raising the bar when it comes to output power, frequency, bandwidth and reliability. The attributes driving these improvements are lower parasitics, smaller gate lengths, higher operating voltages and higher maximum junction temperatures.

In addition to GaN technology, great strides have been made in mechanical/thermal packaging and low loss broadband combining methods. These strides include state of the art modeling, thermal aspects of material science and C-SAM and X-Ray validation of die attachment. Combining techniques range from simple to complex structures realized in microstrip, stripline and waveguide. Manufacturers have developed and shipped amplifiers with some of the highest RF/microwave power densities contained within decreasing volumes. The challenges associated with the seamless integration of these next generation SSPAs into complex EW and communication systems will also be addressed. Amplifier manufacturers are developing sophisticated FPGA based control systems that enable seamless interfaces, advanced built in test and diagnostic capability and modular, easily maintainable systems.

This educational AOC webinar is COMPLIMENTARY, and all participants are welcome.

Register Now


GOLD SPONSOR

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CALL FOR PAPERS DEADLINE TOMORROW: 16th Annual AOC Electronic Warfare Europe, May 10-12 in Rotterdam
"Transforming EW – Evolving Threats, Concepts and Capabilities"

As nations re-focus on contingency operations after over a decade of counter-insurgency, there are many challenges and opportunities for governments, the military, academia, science and technology and industry. Recent events have reminded everyone of the deadly nature of RF guided weaponry and that the threat from insurgents has not ended, but intensified. The widely reported use of wholesale, sophisticated Russian counter-C3 systems in and around Ukraine in parallel to cyber operations and widespread dis-information/psychological operations has given rise to what leading military and political thinkers refer to as Hybrid Warfare. The question is what does this mean for the future of EW in the free world? Almost all military operations are enabled by wide-ranging electromagnetic (EM) operations, a concept that NATO and others have fully embraced. These include SIGINT; C4ISR; precise navigation and timing; targeting; communications, spectrum management and the whole gamut of EW. But, are there new requirements for EW arising from hybrid warfare? The answer to the question then, is yes, a great deal, with an obvious example being EM-enabled cyber operations.

National forces are being re-shaped and re-equipped to face the future, which will be contested, congested, complex, connected, constrained and potentially chaotic unless the right informed choices are made now. AOC EW Rotterdam 2016 will consider the future of EW and EM Operations in the changing light of current and emerging threats, including Hybrid Warfare; it will consider the possible responses, how thinking and attitudes must change and examine the new capabilities that will be required across all lines of defence, by all services, in all countries. Part of the event will include twin-tracks focusing respectively on operations, capability and defence lines of development and industry developments and inventiveness. AOC EW Europe 2016 will once again bring together, this time in Rotterdam, perhaps the most happening and connected city in Europe right now, all the communities involved in EW, SIGINT, C4ISR, Cyber EM Activities (CEMA) and more. This is the largest global EW networking, exhibition, seminar and conference, outside of the U.S., and is not to be missed!

CALL FOR PAPERS
The time has now come to submit your paper for the conference at EW Europe 2016. This year's theme will focus on Transforming EW – Evolving Threats, Concepts and Capabilities, with the thesis of Hybrid Warfare and the Future of EW.

Potential Speakers are invited to note the conference sessions topics and specific areas of interest:

•     Keynote addresses.
•     Operational focus.
•     National perspectives.
•     Defensive and offensive capabilities.
•     Technological and engineering developments.
•     Future warfare – capability, integration and interoperability.
•     Critical EM lines of development such as training, test and evaluation, modelling and simulation, concepts, etc.
•     EW and EM operations, SIGINT, ISR, spectrum management, and network enabled capability.
•     The information domain/environment, information operations, cyber warfare, social media, etc.
•     Briefs on major programmes and capability development in the maritime, air/space, and land domains.
•     Specific contemporary EW/EM topics like countering UAVs and drones and directed energy & laser developments are sought.

The AOC is soliciting original unclassified English language papers for the Rotterdam conference from international leaders, military personnel, subject matter experts and leading thinkers from the government, military, academia and industry. Please contact the conference director, John Clifford (clifford@crows.org), if you are interested in speaking or want more information and provide the title of the proposed paper, a brief synopsis and information on the speaker. Company or product briefs will not be accepted. The deadline for submitting is close of business Friday, 19 February 2016 but earlier is better.

Conference Details

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NOMINATIONS DUE IN TWO WEEKS: 2016 AOC International Elections
Each year the AOC's membership determines the future of the Association by electing representatives to its Board of Directors. Nominations for the 2016 election are being accepted now through March 1.

The election will begin on July 1, 2016 and will end on July 31, 2016.

The 2016 election slate will include two (2) At Large Director positions, who will serve a three (3)-year term. In addition, the two International Regional Directors will be elected for three (3)-year terms from International 1 and International 2 regions. These new Directors will be installed at the Annual 2016 Convention/Symposium and the Board meeting venues scheduled for that first week of December 2016.

The 2016 AOC Nomination Form is available. Nomination packets must be received at AOC headquarters by close-of-business on Monday, March 1, 2016. If you wish to nominate more than one person, please duplicate the form. Nomination forms are also available on the AOC website at www.crows.org or by contacting the AOC's Director of Membership, Ms. Glorianne O'Neilin, at oneilin@crows.org.

When completed, the forms should be returned to the N&E Committee at: Association of Old Crows, 1000 North Payne St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314 or by fax to (703) 549-2589. Completed forms may also be returned by email to oneilin@crows.org.

The N&E Committee will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may contact me at amorosonino@aol.com or you may contact Glorianne at AOC Headquarters, as above or at (703) 549-1600, and she will insure your inquiry gets to the Committee.

Nino Amorso
Chair, Nominations & Election Committee

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NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES: 2016 AOC Awards Nomination Process is Now Open
Honor those who have furthered the discipline of Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) and the AOC! Recognize their dedication by nominating them or the unit for an AOC 2016 Individual or Unit Award!

To view the list of awards and download the application, go to http://www.crows.org/community/awards.html. Nomination Forms are due by May 1! If you have any questions concerning the awards please contact Glorianne O’Neilin (oneilin@crows.org)

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: 8th Annual EW Capability Gaps and Enabling Technologies Operational & Technical Information Exchange, May 10-12 at Crane, IN
EW warfighting requirements continue to evolve in their complexity and capability to meet air, ground, surface, space and cyberspace requirements. The 8th Annual Electronic Warfare Capability Gaps and Enabling Technologies Operational & Technical Information Exchange will provide a forum for EW professionals from the military, government, industry and academic fields to discuss issues related to the requirements of EW programs, platforms and operations. This capstone event will focus on the identified gaps and technologies the services require to ensure EW maintains freedom of maneuver through the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) in support of achieving commanders’ objectives. Speakers and presenters will look back at the previous few years and identify progress made to ensure the success of the warfighter in tomorrow’s battlespace.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
This call for papers challenges presenters to explore innovative and leap-ahead enabling technologies and methodologies to meet currently identified EW Capability Gaps. Presentations or demonstrations from all United States Services, DoD, Industry and Academia are requested to identify technical paths, options and potential opportunities for filling current and future EW Capability Gaps. Submitted abstracts are specifically requested to address one or more of the symposium sessions. Amplifying information on the three sessions is referenced above. 

Abstracts for presentations are required in unclassified textual format. Please forward abstracts to speaker coordinators, Mr. Clint Seyer and Mr. Jimmy Hearn, at clint.seyer@navy.mil and jimmy.r.hearn@navy.mil respectively, and to Ms. Shelley Frost at frost@crows.org.

The submittal deadline is 10 March 2016. We request abstracts be limited to one page of text or 400 words. To facilitate the selection process, please ensure your submitted abstract file is labeled with your last name, session number and short title. For example: "Seyer_Session1_Cognitive_EW.doc." Notification of acceptance and presentation submission instructions will be provided by 18 March 2016. Presentations must be in Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or earlier format.

IMPORTANT 2016 DATES:
(note: dates are proposed for initial planning purposes only and are subject to change.
Actual dates are expected to fall on or within 7-10 days of listed dates)
Abstracts Due: 10 March 2016
Notification of Acceptance: 18 March 2016

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NEW AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: Networks in the Tactical Environment, March 17
1400-1500 EDT (1800-1900 GMT)
The observed manner by which consumers easily access and share information using Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) technologies is influencing how planners envision the conduct of 21st Century military operations. However, the environment that each operates within are drastically different resulting false assumptions. Though the concept of System of Systems (SoS) approaches are well reasoned and existing technology should support their implementation, comparing the tactical environment with the commercial reveals a whole host of unique challenges. Factors such as environmental conditions, dynamic network configuration and server access along with the unique characteristics of each participating node impacts the ability to command and control the internal and external movement of information throughout the battle space. Even though each SoS and its associated operating environment is unique, Networks in the Tactical Environment will identify, describe and help the participant better understand how these factors impact the 21st Century Warfighter using analysis and recent examples.

Register Now

GOLD SPONSOR

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REGISTER NOW: 45th Annual Collaborative Electronic Warfare Symposium, April 6-7 at Pt. Mugu
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 45th 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.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS


Rear Admiral Mathias W. Winter
Chief of Naval Research/Director, Innovation
Technology Requirements, and Test & Evaluation (N84)

RADM Mark W. Darrah
Program Executive Officer for
Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons

RDML Michael T. Moran

Program Executive Officer for
Tactical Aircraft Programs

RDML Lorin Selby (invited)
Commander
Naval Surface Warfare Center

RADM Scott A. Stearney (invited)
Commander
Navy Warfare Development Command

Conference Details

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APRIL AOC VIRTUAL SERIES WEBINAR: Active vs Passive Electronically Scanned Antennas, April 7
1400-1500 EDT (1800-1900 GMT)
In the early 1970s, electronically scanned antennas (ESAs) emerged as a new and impactful technology for ISR missions. Replacing mechanically scanned antennas (MSAs), ESAs were much faster for beam switching from a mission timeline perspective, and eliminated the size weight and power associated with a gimbal. As ESAs became better understood, passive EW modes were added as part of their capability offering. This highlights the revolutionary impact of ESAs on the warfighter battlespace.

This talk will show the genesis from MSA to passive ESA to active ESA and provide a conceptual understanding of the advantages of an active ESA. Additionally, the talk will show how the next ESA transformation that is currently taking place is from analog active ESAs to digital active ESAs.

Register Now

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REGISTER FOR THE NEXT AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: EW Crystal Ball: Insight into Global EW & Military Radar Markets, March 3
1200-1300 EST (1700-1800 GMT)

Strategy analytics forecast spending on defense systems will approach $140 billion by 2023, translating into a substantial opportunity for component technologies suitable for radar, communications, EW and other military/defense applications. The global radar market will grow at a CAGR of 3.6% with fire control radar and early warning and surveillance radars accounting for around 76 percent of the global market. The associated market for semiconductors and other components will be spurred by the move towards AESA architectures. Countering these modern frequency agile radar systems and network-based IP-centric communications in conventional symmetric warfare scenarios and combating asymmetric threats from improvised explosive devices are representative of the ever-increasing complex spectrum environment that will underpin spending on the EW sector. Strategy analytics forecast spending on global electronic warfare systems and services will grow to over $18.7 billion.

Learn More and Register Now

Gold Sponsor

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PLAN NOW TO ATTEND: 7th Annual Cyber/Electronic Warfare Convergence Conference, June 7-9, Charleston, SC
Electronic warfare and cyberspace technical capabilities are becoming more technically similar. However, the communities that practice these disciplines remain largely separated and vary widely across the Military Services in terms of their equipment, unit organization and operating methodologies. This conference provides the EW and cyberspace communities an opportunity to collaborate and discuss capabilities, TTPs and research in EW and cyberspace operations to enable more rapid deployment of new and improved capabilities. The EW/Cyberspace Convergence Conference identifies ways to develop advanced technologies and systems to address the changing battlefield dynamics of the digital age and bring EW and cyberspace together for the Warfighter!

Conference Details

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CHAPTER NEWS: Billy Mitchell Chapter Support to San Antonio STEM

The BMC continues to support the STEM program in San Antonio, TX. On 16 January, 2016, at the request of Mr. Chuck Barksdale, Technology Applications Instructor, Hector Garcia Middle School, the following chapter members volunteered to spend their Saturday supporting an internationally recognized FIRST LEGO League Alamo Qualifier robotics event at the school.
Learn More...

 

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JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY: Fourth EW International Conference India (EWCI 2016), February 22-25

The Fourth EW International Conference India (EWCI 2016) is the latest event in the benchmark of EWCI Conference Series in the advanced field of EW. The conference is being organised by the award-winning India Chapter of Association of Old Crows (AOC), Bangalore. The conference is supported by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bangalore is the patronising sponsor of the event. The conference addresses the technical and commercial needs of operational users, planners, developers, procurers, testers and trainers of the latest EW technologies and systems.

A large-scale indoor exhibition will accompany the conference, displaying the latest EW products from international EW organisations. There will be intense, one-day pre-conference tutorials preceding the conference. The conference is envisaged as the important platform for EW professionals who would share the research and development output in the field of EW at the global level. Also keeping in view of the government of India's "Make in India" policy, the participants of the conference will be exposed to the state-of-the-art developments in self reliance in the field of EW in India and, hence, the theme of the conference is chosen as "EW: Partner for Self-Reliance."

Register Now

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NEW AOC JOB VACANCIES PAGE: Post Your Open Positions for Free
The AOC has launched a new webpage where members and sponsors can post job vacancies. 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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CALL FOR PAPERS DEADLINE, FEBRUARY 15: Dixie Crow Symposium 41 EW/ISR: Today's Innovations Countering Tomorrow's Threats, March 20-24
The EW/Avionics Division, AFLCMC/WNY and the Dixie Crow Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) will co-sponsor the AF Technical Program, 2016 Dixie Crow Symposium 41, on 22-24 March 2016. The program will be at the Scott Theater (Building 1500), Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, GA.  An AF conference approval request has been submitted by the EW/Avionics Division.

This year's theme, shown above, illustrates collaboration within the Information Operations (IO) environment and integration within the operations environment for both new and legacy systems.   

Papers to support this theme should include issues relating to Electronic Warfare (EW), Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) and collaboration within the existing and future IO environment. Efficient utilization, understanding and control of the Electromagnetic Spectrum are necessary for defense of our forces and our homeland. Collaborative improvement is necessary to assure our tactics and products are affordable and successfully protect the warfighters.  Maximization of modern and legacy systems demands "unique" approaches.

Papers may be unclassified or classified. Briefing sessions will be separated as follows: 1) Unclassified with no restrictions; 2) Unclassified US ONLY, EXPORT CONTROLLED; 3) Classified Confidential or Secret, US ONLY.

A Releasibility Certification (form included with full Call for Papers) is required before presentation can take place.

Please be aware the Dixie Crow Technical Committee does not release any bio, abstract or briefing information. Any attendee wishing a copy of the briefing must contact the briefer directly.   

Presentations will be targeted for 20 minutes (including questions and answers).

Please let us know if you are interested in presenting a paper. Abstracts (less than 200 words) must be UNCLASSIFIED and may be submitted electronically any time before February 15, 2016. 

Full Call for Papers

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The Association of Old Crows (AOC) applauds the introduction yesterday of S. 2486, The Electronic Warfare Capabilities Enhancement Act, sponsored by Senator Mark Kirk (IL). "The bill represents a tremendous opportunity for military and defense industry leaders and our community — the scientists, engineers, managers, operators, educators and military personnel — to advance innovative electronic warfare (EW) systems and capabilities that are a prerequisite for successful military operations in the twenty-first century," said AOC President, David A. Hime. (Business Wire)
Learn More...

 

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In President Obama’s final defense spending request, the Air Force looks beyond ISIS toward the rising technological capabilities of China and Russia, asking Congress for more money for intercontinental ballistic missile modernization and long-range striking, new semi-autonomous robotic missiles, offensive cyber operations and lasers. (Defense One)
Learn More...

 

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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing artificial intelligence that can help humans understand the floods of data they unleashed 50 years ago with the Internet and make better decisions, even in the heat of battle. Such "human-machine collaboration" – informally known as the centaur model – is the high-tech holy grail of the Defense Department’s plan to counter Russian and Chinese advances, known as the Third Offset Strategy. (Breaking Defense)
Learn More...

 

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Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134), which was the Navy’s last EA-6B Prowler squadron and has upgraded to the EA-18G Growler, will be retained but relegated to the land-based expeditionary electronic attack role, like three other VAQ squadrons. This move will allow the Navy to cancel plans to stand up VAQ-143 as additional expeditionary squadron. (SEAPOWER Magazine)
Learn More...

 

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In the future, many of the most effective weapons used against the U.S. military are likely to be unseen: electromagnetic waves that disrupt radios or jam global positioning systems that paralyze units. This realm of fighting is called electronic warfare, and since the 9/11 attacks it’s been relegated to a lower priority than fighting insurgent groups with precision guided munitions and drones. (The Washington Post)
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There are now more small unmanned drones than conventional manned aircraft registered with the U.S. government, underscoring—for anyone still skeptical—that drones have shed their novelty status and entered the mainstream. But for all the recreational and economic activity created by the proliferation of small unmanned aircraft, the potential security and safety threats they pose continue to compound. (Fortune)
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For years, the US administration has cast a longing gaze on a pivot to the Asia Pacific, but wars in the Middle East have managed to divert attention. Now, Russia has re-emerged as the number one threat to the US. So if there’s a pivot happening anywhere it’s to Europe, and it’s clear the Army will lead. (Defense News)
Learn More...

 

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Addressing the growing cyber risks to civil aviation, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a cyber protection suite for commercial airlines and their fleets, which will be able to protect passenger aircraft from such threats. With the introduction of modern avionics, computerized onboard navigation and information, modern connectivity systems and in-flight entertainment systems, commercial airliners are becoming vulnerable to cyber attacks. (Aviation Week)
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The U.S. Air Force has decided to replace its 14 overworked and aging EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft by doing what many other nations are doing: putting the sensors and electronic into a smaller business type jet. The air force is considering a similar solution for its JSTARS radar ground surveillance aircraft. Britain has already shown the way with their new ASTOR, which has the capabilities of the U.S. JSTARS but uses a 44-ton Bombadier Global Express twin engine business jet instead of the 152-ton four-engine B-707 used for JSTARS. (Strategy Page)
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Shipbuilding is under pressure in the 2017 budget, but that didn’t stop the Chief of Naval Operations from sketching out his service’s "next warship" this morning. He wants ships built from the keel up for cyber and electronic warfare. He wants modular designs that can be updated at the speed of Moore’s Law. And he wants sailors with both the digital savvy to exploit all this technology and the old-fashioned independence to act on their own when the enemy takes the network down. (Breaking Defense)
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