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Are We Ready for the Unseen Fight? Industry News AOC News & Events AOC Chapter News and Events

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS EXTENDED: Deadline JULY 21 for Submissions for the AOC 53rd International Symposium and Convention, November 29-December 1 in Washington, D.C.
The AOC Annual Symposium Committee is soliciting original unclassified English language technical papers for the 53rd International Symposium and Convention from U.S. and International leaders, operators, subject matter experts and thinkers from the military, academia and industry. Technical briefings will be organized into three lanes of operations: electronic support, electronic attack and electronic protection. You are invited to submit an abstract of presentation in one of these sessions. Examples of some of the areas of interest are listed below.

Electronic Support	Electronic Attack	Electronic Protection
• ES multi-country data fusion	• Directed Energy	• Cyber Threat
• ISR	• Artificial Intelligence	• System Hardening
• Receivers	• Reactive/Adaptive Loadsets	• Battlefield SA
• Geolocation	• UAS concepts	• Laser
• Signal Identification	• System of System concepts	• HPM
• Data Flow Architectures	• Waveforms	• Interference Mitigation
• LPI/LPD	• Transmitters	• Passive Detect
• Cognitive Radios	• Amplifiers	• Multispectral Detect
• Addressing future waveforms	• EA and Cyber Multifunction capabilities	• Cyber
• ES in support of Cyber

Submission Deadline is extended to Thursday, JULY 21!

Submission Information: e-mail the following information to the AOC Convention Abstracts Review Committee at frost@crows.org.

Full Details

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Full symposium registration plan provides access to all functions at the Annual Symposium including all symposium sessions, Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall. Does not include professional development courses or the AOC Annual Banquet which is an additional $25 fee for all symposium attendee.
Register Now!

Convention Page

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REGISTER NOW: Electronic Warfare Asia, September 20-21 in Kuala Lumpur
EW Asia returns to Kuala Lumpur to debate the ever-evolving challenges of this complex subject. Bringing together senior delegations from regional and international militaries, defence intelligence communities and scientific and research agencies EW Asia will showcase focused discussions and ‘thought leader’ presentations.

Southeast Asian countries need to be alert to the challenges involved in maintaining surveillance and intelligence superiority across the information domain space, thus ensuring the national security of their borders. Recent experiences of electronic warfare (EW) actions applied by Russia in Ukraine and Syria have demonstrated how crucial this domain is, particularly as such up-to-date and effective EW operations have not been experienced internationally for many years.

China’s investment and gathering momentum in the expansion of its own military cyber and electronic warfare technologies presents serious challenges for Asian security services who believed that, until recently, they retained EM spectrum superiority.

An improved understanding of the complexity of these challenges being faced needs to be followed by the development of skill sets for defensive and, if necessary, offensive countermeasures.

Register Now

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REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEXT AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: Metamaterials 101, July 28
Thursday, July 28
14:00-15:00 EDT
A new world of materials is emerging called "metamaterials" where physical properties are altered to achieve results that don't naturally occur in nature. Metamaterials are materials that use resonance properties to "cheat" nature and cause effects to occur that may benefit antenna radiation and possibly support "cloaking" devices. "Metamaterials" simply means materials that are beyond normal material properties. Their unique properties are created when resonance conditions are created. Often this is accomplished by creating cavities along the material surface that resonate at the design frequency. Switchable metamaterials can be used to dramatically reduce radar cross section or to modulate beam patterns for surface mounted antennas.

This lecture on metamaterials will cover the basic physics of these materials and will demonstrate several practical applications.

Register Now

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PLAN NOW TO ATTEND: CEMA 2016 - Achieving Overmatch through the Convergence of Cyber, Signal, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, and Space Capabilities, October 18-20
This upcoming October will mark 15 years of persistent conflict where the Army has enjoyed a distinct technological advantage in its fight against terrorism and in the conduct of counter-insurgency operations. Today we are on the brink of a new era of great power competition conflict. With a resurgent Russia and an escalating China, a civil war in Syria with international implications and Iran and North Korea steadily flexing their military presence, there are forces to be reckoned with. All are employing advanced electronic warfare and cyber capabilities at a rapid rate. Given these recent developments from prospective near-peer adversaries, the Army cannot afford to "wait until the wolf is at the door" and must prioritize maintaining overmatch; easier said than done. Limited resources dictate an innovative approach to the problem. The answer lies in the effective enterprise capability convergence of cyber, signal, electronic warfare, intelligence, information operations and space capabilities to ensure cyberspace dominance while simultaneously denying the same advantage to adversaries. The idea of capability convergence as a combat multiplier is the basis for this year’s conference theme.


KEYNOTE SPEAKERS



MG Bruce Crawford, USA
Commanding General CECOM & APG
   
MG Kirk F. Vollmecke
Program Executive Officer, PEO IEW&S

Mr. Kevin M. Coggins, SES
Direct Reporting Program Manager,
Positioning, Navigation & Timing

Conference Page

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PLAN NOW TO ATTEND: Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) Systems Engineering and Acquisition Conference, September 20-22

Our adversaries are using ubiquitous and cheap technology to further develop cyber warfare as well as advance and proliferate electromagnetic spectrum capabilities. EMW is an operational approach to seizing the initiative across the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). The goal is to combine EMW capabilities in the sea, air and land domains to generate enhanced combat effects. EMW, in essence, means leveraging the cyberspace domain and the full electromagnetic spectrum for both offensive and defensive effects.
Learn More...

KEYNOTE SPEAKER



The Honorable Rob Wittman
US House of Representatives (VA-1)

Mr. Bryan Clark
Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA)

Dr. John D Burrow
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation

RDML Lorin Selby, USN
Commander, USN Naval Surface Warfare Center

Conference Details

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: 5th Annual AOC Pacific Conference,  November 8-9, Honolulu
Challenges and Opportunities for IO/EW/Cyber in A2/AD Environments

The purpose of the symposium is to bring together government, military, industry, academia, small business and other stakeholders for discussions on the operational challenges facing the practitioners of these IRCs, and to explore possible technological and tactics/procedural solutions. To stimulate wider interest and inquiry into these issues, the symposium and related activities and events will be open to registration by government, industry and academia representatives without regard to their AOC membership status (both AOC members and non-members may register) except that access of foreign and any other persons may be restricted as necessary in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
AOC is soliciting original unclassified English language papers for the 5th Pacific conference from international leaders, military personnel, subject matter experts and leading thinkers from the government, military, academia and industry. Potential Speakers are invited to note the conference sessions topics and specific areas of interest:

• National perspectives on the IO, EMS and cyber aspects of overcoming A2/AD or countering Hybrid Warfare.
• Historical perspectives of the application of IO to overcome anti-access strategies and to reach target audiences in denied environments
• Analysis of current and potential threats to the U.S. and her Pacific Allies employing the integrated application of IRCs (IO) as a component of peacetime Hybrid Warfare
• Analysis of adversary and potential adversary offensive cyber strategies for peacetime, crisis, and conflict
• Technological and engineering developments for enhanced Command and Control of the Information Environment
• Technology solutions for monitoring the Information Environment for operations and assessment

Please contact the Symposium Chair, Arthur Tulak, COL USA, Ret, at arthur.n.tulak.ctr@pacom.mil 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 Wednesday, 31 August 2016, but earlier is better.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER



BG Richard K. Sele
Deputy Commanding General, U.S.
Army Civil Affairs and Psychological
Operations Command (invited)

Call for Presentations and Conference Details

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REGISTER NOW FOR AUGUST'S AOC WEBINAR: Introduction to Anechoic Chambers, August 11
Thursday, August 11  | 14:00-15:00 EDT (18:00-19:00 UTC)

This presentation provides an overview of the RF/microwave absorbers and their use in the optimized designs of anechoic chambers. A brief theoretical background and measurement methods are introduced on the absorbers and chamber designs. Measurement techniques on the absorbers and chambers are discussed, including the free-space VSWR method. The free-space VSWR is the most widely-used method for measuring the performance of an anechoic chamber. Its test procedure and theory are introduced. Further discussions are provided on various chamber design considerations and the use of absorbers to enhance the performances of an anechoic chamber.

Register Now

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AOC Patriot Roost, AFCEA Lexington-Concord chapter, MITRE and Elevate Technology will facilitate the Workshop on August 17, 2016 at Waxy O’Connors. We have an acute shortage of skilled personnel in government and defense-related industry for current and future cyber challenges. Current on-ramps fail to educate, recruit and prepare the future workforce of cyber tech savvy professionals. The Workshop is an unparalleled opportunity to hear innovators radically address new integrated processes to motivate and prepare our non-uniformed workforce through three separate lenses: government, industry and academia.
Learn More...

 

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CELEBRATING EXEMPLARY SERVICE: Congratulations to the AOC 2016 Award Winners
The AOC will recognize the premier leaders in EW, IO and EMS Operations fields throughout our 53rd 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, November 29th. 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, November 30th. All other Individual awards will be presented at separate venues.

Full List of Award Winners

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AOC 2016 ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE THIS SEPTEMBER: Learn About the Candidates Now in This Year's Election Guide
The 2016 AOC International Elections will run September 1-30 this year, but the election guide is available now for you to begin learning about the candidates for whom you will cast your vote. This year members will elect two At Large board members, and one board member each from International Region I and International Region II. Online voting will be available September 1, or look for your paper ballot in the June edition of JED.

Read the Election Guide (PDF)

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HAVE YOU VISITED THE AOC JOB VACANCIES PAGE: Positions Posted Now, Employers Can Post 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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An enemy soldier stood by his truck, communicating with his higher headquarters via radio. He was about to receive some critical information that would allow him to maneuver the members of his group against U.S.-friendly forces, but something unexpected happened. Suddenly, there was nothing but garbled sounds and static coming through his receiver. He had lost his ability to communicate with other members of his unit, let alone his headquarters – a severe handicap in battle. (US Army)
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Among several new trends being pushed pumped out of the Defense Department’s research offices under the guise of the Third Offset strategy – an initiative that seeks to leverage manned-unmanned teaming to counteract adversarial capabilities – is the concept of cognitive electronic warfare. Cognitive EW seeks to leverage artificial intelligence to adapt to rapidly changing electromagnetic surroundings in the field. (C4ISR & Networks)
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The second deployment of the United States Air Contingent to the Philippine has recently completed training alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines for routine operational missions that enhance regional maritime domain awareness. The said deployment consisted of four electronic warfare aircraft EA-18G Growlers from U.S. Navy Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 expeditionary detachment.(Update.ph)
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War on the Rocks writer Mike Pietrucha knew as soon as he saw the headline that the "killer robot" articles would start. That the use of a compact remote-controlled vehicle to selectively eliminate a dangerous, armed killer in a protected position would cause science and technology writers everywhere to collectively gasp and head to their keyboards. There, they would engage in a spinning whirlwind of predictive doom, calling for new regulations, stoking fears of hordes of government-controlled killer robots, and speculating on the future of civilization. But all the hyperventilating over this by technologists obscures the fact that robotic devices have been used to deliver deadly explosives for decades – almost 100 years, if you count the Kettering Bug. (War on the Rocks)
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The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced aircraft in the Pentagon's arsenal, but Russia's powerful over-the-horizon Podsolnukh (Sunflower) radar is capable of detecting and tracking the stealth fifth-generation plane or any other fighter jet that was designed to avoid detection, Svobodnaya Pressa reported. (Sputnik News)
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Russia is the latest country to claim that it has developed a new radar system that can detect stealth warplanes. But the Sunflower low-frequency over-the-horizon radar likely suffers all the same drawbacks that have plagued previous generations of similar sensors. Namely, Sunflower might be able to detect a low-observable airplane. But it probably can’t do so with great fidelity  –  nor generate a useful targeting track for a missile to follow. Despite Russia’s claim, stealth aircraft are no less difficult to find, target and destroy now than they were before the Sunflower’s introduction. (War is Boring)
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The Air Force’s current fleet of aircraft is the smallest and oldest it has ever been, and although a plethora of acquisition programs are slated to update it with new capabilities, service officials are concerned about its ability to control the skies and strike targets at will. The service is banking on future technologies that can bring additional firepower to the battlefield without having to buy new aircraft, relying instead on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), modified legacy planes and advanced weaponry. (Defense News)
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The U.S. military and its allies increasingly rely on so-called stealth technology to conceal their manned and unmanned aircraft from enemy radar. We forget, however, that radar is adapting quickly, and it's only one of many ways to detect aircraft. Stealth aircraft technology has been one of the most expensive and closely guarded military secrets since reports of it first started appearing widely in the mid-1980s, with aircraft like the now-obsolete F-117. (Military & Aerospace Electronics)
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For the non-U.S. nations buying the Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 will be their first experience operating stealth aircraft. Since development of the aircraft began 15 years ago, radar technology has advanced and debate over the value of stealth has escalated. But several nations have now selected the F-35 in open competitions, citing in part the combat capability enabled by low observability. (Subscription) (Aviation Week)
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The military is devoting more and more attention to the threat of hostile drones on the battlefield, but what to do about the dangers posed by tiny micro-drones, especially in urban areas, where simply shooting them down isn’t usually a good option? Eight finalists in a technology challenge sponsored by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration will compete their proposed defense systems Aug. 12-19 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. (Breaking Defense)
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There have been some efforts made to protect critical intelligent infrastructure of organizations (power and communication networks), but it amounts to building a digital Maginot Line of defense. It is not as impenetrable as the security "experts" have touted. In the age of High-Frequency Transaction (HFT) Servers, which are being used in every facet of the New York Stock Exchange as well as other exchanges around the world, the susceptibility of a cyberattack to destroy a regional or even global economy, is a real possibility. (International Policy Digest)
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The U.S. Marines’ top aviation officer offered an upbeat assessment of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter to the House Armed Services Committee during testimony July 6; the stealthy new jump-jet is performing well during training exercises despite using an interim software configuration that affords the pricey aircraft only a fraction of the capabilities the Pentagon requires of it. (War is Boring)
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The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a low-altitude strike plane born out of a shotgun wedding between competing Air Force and Navy requirements—with Defense Secretary McNamara as the minister. Despite its troubled adolescence, it grew into a capable high-tech night bomber that lasted decades in service, noted for its sleekly elegant profile. (The National Interest)
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Thales and Italian electronic warfare specialist Elettronica have pooled a wide range of their aircraft self-protection for use in one system, dubbed Cybele, that they claim will cut the costs of saving aircraft from numerous hostile threats. Launched at the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday, the system for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft will integrate the two firm’s existing survivability lineups, which will be controlled through one, integrated suite. (DefenseNews)
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Of all the announcements made in the Conservative Government's Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) of 2015, none had been more widely anticipated and extensively analyzed as the reconstitution of a British maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability. The cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 program in the 2010 SDSR left the island nation without a maritime-patrol aircraft. (Aviation Week)
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Sky News has learned that the U.K. railway network has suffered at least four major cyber attacks over the last year alone. And experts have warned that the digital systems controlling trains are vulnerable to hackers, who could cause injury or death in the real world. Sergey Gordeychik, a security researcher at Kaspersky Lab in Moscow, has discovered several weaknesses in rail infrastructure. (Eagle Radio)
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