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Artificial Intelligence For Air Force: Cyber and EW Industry News AOC News & Events AOC Chapter News and Events

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VOTE NOW: AOC Elections End Friday, September 30
It's your last chance to vote in the 2016 AOC International Elections. 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. Vote on-line now!

Read the Election Guide (June JED)
Access the Election

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DON'T MISS TODAY'S WEBINAR: Digital Video Transmission: Threats Hiding in Plain Sight, Thursday, September 29
Thursday, September 29, 2016  |14:00-15:00 EST (18:00 until 19:00 UTC)

The transmission of video related content encompasses many layers. There are many methods to be considered for fingerprinting digital video. From the physical layer to the application layer there are many places for information to be hidden or altered. Adversaries could use video distribution systems with the intent to disrupt, harm, injure, or kill. They could provide inaccurate information to influence inaccurate decision making or camouflage messages within systems to disseminate hostile information.

Register Now

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REGISTER NOW! 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

MG Paul Nakasone 
Commander Cyber National Mission 
Force

BG (P) Patricia A. Frost, USA
Director of Cyber, HQDA G-3/5/7
 
Mr. Kevin M. Coggins, SES
Direct Reporting Program Manager,
Positioning, Navigation & Timing

CSM Dave Redmon
NSA and USCYBERCOM
Senior Enlisted Advisor

Mr. Henry Muller
CERDEC Director

Mr. Dave Hime
AOC President


Register Now

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NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED: Don't Miss the 5th Annual AOC Pacific Conference,  November 8-9 in 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.

Attend and consider SPONSORING this renowned, ground-breaking and strategically important Symposium. Read the report from the 4th Annual Pacific Conference from JED.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS


GEN Robert B. Brown
Commanding General
U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC)

MGEN John B. Morrison, Jr.
Commanding General
U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence

Dr. William G. Conley, SES
Deputy Director, Electronic Warfare,
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)

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

Register Now

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OCTOBER AOC WEBINAR: Connecting the Dots: A Review of EW and EMSO-Related Accomplishments in the 114th Congress, October 13
Thursday, October 13, 2016  |14:00-15:00 EST (18:00 until 19:00 UTC)

Electronic Warfare (EW) and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) received significant attention on Capitol Hill during 2016. More so than in years past, the AOC had the opportunity follow, inform and influence key legislative and policy initiatives that together show a dramatic change in how our leaders think about the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). This webinar takes a look at the status and accomplishments of several initiatives including the EW Capabilities Enhancement Act, Acquisition Reform, the MOBILE NOW Act and the FY 2017 Defense Budget. We will also discuss what to expect over the next few months as Congress adjourns and a new Congress and Administration arrive in January 2017.

Register Now

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CALL FOR POSTERS: AOC International Symposium and Convention
The AOC Poster Session will provide an excellent forum for authors, educators, students and young engineers to present their work in an informal and interactive setting. Posters are ideal for presenting speculative, late-breaking results, or for giving an introduction to interesting, innovative work. Posters are intended to provide authors and participants with the ability to connect with each other and to engage in discussions about the work.

The poster session provides information about the applications, architecture, implementation, performance and security of electronic warfare and information operations. Posters that present work-in-progress and draw important conclusions from practical experience are especially encouraged to submit.

POSTER SUBMISSION
E-mail the following information to Shelley Frost at frost@crows.org:
• Title of proposed paper
• Name of presenter and organization represented
• One or two short paragraphs describing the scope of the paper

Early November, each selected poster presenter will be mailed a Poster Session Guide from AOC National Headquarters. It will contain detailed information on your poster session.

For more information, contact Shelley Frost at frost@crows.org

Submission Deadline is October 21, 2016.

Learn More

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JUST ANNOUNCED: AOC Electronic Warfare Singapore, January 17-18
We live in a time of increasing uncertainty on many fronts. Threats, challenges and opportunities are rising. Technology is accelerating. The world is undoubtedly changing and in unforeseen ways. In terms of future warfare, national forces are being re-shaped and re-equipped to face an operational maneuver space that will be complex and connected, but constrained. It may well be chaotic unless the right, informed choices are made now. The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most vital areas in the world and the focus of much change, but also of uncertainty. In terms of EW and electromagnetic operations, how can we make sense of all of these things?

AOC EW Singapore 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, 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 consist of plenary sessions focusing on operations, defence capability development, and industry inventiveness. AOC EW Singapore 2017 will bring together the communities of EW, SIGINT, C4ISR, Cyber EM Activities (CEMA) and more. Speakers will include leaders and operators from the military, government, academia, S&T and international R&D communities and, crucially industry. This is an unclassified English language Asia-Pacific focused EW networking, exhibition, workshop and conference and is not to be missed.

CALL FOR PAPERS
The AOC is soliciting original unclassified English language papers for the Singapore conference from international leaders, military personnel, subject matter experts and leading thinkers from the government, military, academia and industry. 

Full Call for Papers Details

Conference Details

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REGISTER NOW: AOC 53rd International Symposium and Convention, November 29-December 1 in Washington, D.C.
This year’s 53rd Annual International Symposium and Convention is AOC’s premier event to enhance your personal and professional network, while engaging in discussions regarding Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations with military leaders, policy makers and electronic warfare practitioners from an international perspective. Technical papers will be presented to disseminate research findings and increase awareness of emerging technologies or concepts in the areas of electronic support, electronic attack, electronic protection, spectrum awareness and spectrum deconfliction.

Speakers representing the combatant commanders and our international community will address their regional perspectives on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations providing an overview of their operational environments and addressing capabilities and challenges regarding EMSO policy, doctrine, procurement, training and joint or coalition operations. International regions that will be represented include Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Connect with thousands of colleagues and over 1,600 military and industry leaders and experts from all career levels, sectors, and EMSO focused businesses for three days of practical insight and networking with our U.S. and International members.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
This is THE event dedicated to the professionals shaping the future of the electromagnetic operational domain. It will be the best professional investment that you can make all year!  Register today and book your hotel room at the same time.  
Register Now!
Convention Page

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NEXT WEEK: Maple Leaf Chapter First Annual Gala, September 28
We are pleased to invite you to attend the Association of Old Crows, Maple Leaf Chapter, First Annual Gala. This event will be a rare opportunity to meet Mr. John Knowles, Chief Editor of the Journal of Electronic Defense (JED) and keynote speaker. This gala sponsored by D-TA Systems Inc. will be held at the prestigious Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Please register quickly as spaces are limited!

Register Now

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FROM THE AOC JOB VACANCIES PAGE: 2017 Congressional Innovation Fellowship
TechCongress is building 21st century government with technology talent through our Congressional Innovation Fellowship.  We are bridging the divide between Congress and the technology sector by placing tech savvy individuals like you to work with Members of Congress and Congressional Committees in order to build capacity in Congress, train cross-sector leaders — who can understand the challenges of government and in the technology community — and keep Congress up to date about the latest challenges and opportunities relating to technology.

View Full Job Opportunity

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 Air Force wants artificial intelligence to track and react to cyber and electronic threats, to update countermeasures against enemy hackers, radars, and missiles faster than human minds can manage. But first you have to fix the basics. Today, the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) is really not a single network, but a quasi-feudal patchwork of often incompatible local networks. It’s the Holy Roman Empire of cyberspace. There are so many dark corners and hidden vulnerabilities that no amount of intelligence – human or artificial – can monitor them all, let alone defend them. (Breaking Defense)
Learn More...

 

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The transatlantic community faces threats on multiple fronts, rendering NATO as essential as it has ever been. Because of these changing regional security dynamics, the Alliance should consider some additional reforms to its internal structure and capacities, so that it can achieve necessary readiness. There is still much to ponder. On the road from the 2016 Warsaw Summit to the 2017 Brussels Summit, the Alliance should embrace six core approaches – a new strategic "six-pack" – in order to strengthen the process of NATO’s long-term strategic adaptation. (The National Interest)
Learn More...

 

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The Pentagon’s biggest advocate of artificial intelligence just spoke to the Air Force Association for over an hour – and he didn’t mention drones. When Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work talks about autonomy, he’s much less interested in killer robots than in command and control. The Air Force led the way on C2 by developing the world’s first "offensive battle network" in time to eviscerate the Iraqi military in 1991, Work said. Today, he said, with experiments like the new JICSPOC command center for space operations and "multi-domain command and control," it’s leading the way again as part of the Pentagon’s high-tech Third Offset Strategy. (Breaking Defense)
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Earlier this year, the Navy deployed ships for the first time that ran on a biofuel blend of processed beef fat. Now, biofuels are taking flight on vegetable oils. The "Green Growler" – an EA-18G electronic attack jet running on biofuel JP-5 – made its first flight in September on an advanced biofuel that did not contain petroleum JP-5, according to a Navy release, as part of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' initiative to get the service running on 50 percent renewable energy by 2020. (Navy Times)
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Defense Secretary Ashton Carter expressed deep displeasure with the congressional budgeting process Thursday, calling it "deplorable" that the government seems poised to begin a new fiscal year under a continuing resolution for the eighth year in a row and accusing lawmakers of sacrificing spending on future innovation in favor of weapons systems the Pentagon does not want. Carter’s remarks came as Congress remained gridlocked on even the passage of a short-term resolution to pay for government operations through early December. (Federal News Radio)
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Lockheed Martin rolled out the first 42 F-35As ordered by the Japan Air Self Defence Forces to replace a nearly 80-strong fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms. The stealthy fighter, featuring advanced radar, electronic warfare and an internal weapons bay, is expected to play a key role in Japan's elevated security posture. JASDF ordered the F-35 after the unveiling in China of the Chengdu J-20, a new fighter with a stealthy profile in development for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. (Flightglobal)
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The sparsely populated Spratly Islands, a collection of hundreds of islands and reefs spread over roughly 165,000 square miles in the South China Sea, are very quickly becoming the center of one of the most contentious international disputes between world powers since the fall of the Soviet Union. Alarmingly, the use of cyber attacks in this dispute suggests we might already be in the midst of a new Cold War playing out in cyberspace – where America’s advantage is not as clear as it is with conventional armies and navies. (Tech Crunch)
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The Air Force is already upgrading the historic, 1960s-era bomber with new radios, avionics and weapons capability The Pentagon’s emerging "Arsenal Plane" or "flying bomb truck" is likely to be a modified, high-tech adaptation of the iconic B-52 bomber designed to fire air-to-air weapons, release swarms of mini-drones and provide additional fire-power to 5th generation stealth fighters such as the F-35 and F-22, Pentagon officials and analysts said. (Scout)
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The warnings from government officials have been dire: Adversaries around the globe are beefing up their defense spending and eating away at the technological edge the United States has enjoyed for decades. Defense Department leaders have responded by standing up a slew of organizations across the Pentagon aimed at cutting red tape and rapidly acquiring new technology and capabilities. (National Defense)
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There’s nothing quite like justifying a position by making up a threat. Governments do it. Generals do it. Politicians do it. The methods and motivations vary, but the common thread is that people need to make a case for a specified course of action that must be taken in order to deal with the threat, constraining other choices that won’t deal with the supposed problem. It happens at the strategic level (the Iraq War) and for situations that are far less important, such as the on-base threat posed to visiting dignitaries. Sometimes it is a lack of intelligence, sometimes the context is bad, and sometimes people haven’t done their homework. (War on the Rocks)
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