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Bombardier Joins Boeing in Protesting Compass Call Decision Industry News AOC News & Events AOC Chapter News and Events

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NEXT AOC VIRTUAL SERIES: Required Signal Processing for Stand-In ES Intercept Receivers, TOMORROW, June 15
Thursday, June 15, 2017 | 14:00-15:00 EST

The characteristics of digital LPI (Low Probability of Intercept) radars make them particularly difficult to find using traditional intercept receivers. Their radar’s continuous waveform (CW) modulation gives them a large processing gain with an unlimited number of diverse variations. With a low output power (< 1W), ultra-low antenna sidelobes coupled with a large mismatch in processing gain, their features render them nearly invisible to conventional intercept receivers.

Consequently, passive intercept receivers must be securely networked and be able to "stand-in" to get close enough to discover these emitters. They also must increase their processing gain by using sophisticated signal processing techniques to autonomously detect and classify the LPI emitters in real-time to provide a fast response-time for the management of operations within the theater.

In this talk, an overview of LPI emitter characteristics is presented followed by examples of CW modulation schemes that are used. The difference between a low probability of detection (LPD) and a LPI emitter is explained. The origin of LPI radar is then revealed including a discussion of different receiver sensitivities. Autonomous detection and classification methods are also emphasized. Several different signal processing domains that can be used to detect a LPI emitter are reviewed and examples are shown to illustrate their advantages. The major difficulties in this tactic are examined and special rules for a successful stand-in operation are emphasized.

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: 3rd Annual Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) Conference, October 16-19
October 16-19, 2017 | Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
"The Multi-Domain Battle: A Combined Arms Approach to Enabling Maneuver through CEMA Operations"

This year's focus will be on the emerging Joint Army/USMC Multi-Domain Battle concept and the implications with respect to CEMA. The MDB entails a combined arms approach for ground combat operations against a sophisticated peer enemy threat in the 2025-2040 timeframe. Building on current service and joint doctrine, the MDB requires flexible and resilient ground formations that project combat power into the land, air, maritime, space, and cyberspace domains. It is a continued evolution of the combined arms methodology to include not only those capabilities of the physical domains, but places even greater emphasis on space, cyberspace, and other contested areas such as the EMS, the information environment, and the cognitive dimension of warfare. As for the role of CEMA in the MDB, it's about creating and exploiting exploit temporary windows of advantage in and presenting adversaries with multiple dilemmas in the spectrum across time/space with an intensity and duration of our choosing. Acknowledging that the world is very different now with more capable near-peer adversaries who are able to contest all physical domains as well as cyberspace, we need to recognize that and challenge the CEMA community of interest for novel, adaptive and innovative capability solutions in EW, Cyber, SIGINT and other related technology areas. This is just the nature of the current environment.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: Due JULY 14
The CEMA 2017 conference committee is soliciting original papers from the United States and Five Eyes Nations, Government, Academia, Industry, Operators, and Subject Matter Experts to discuss current and emerging trends in Electronic Warfare, Cyber, Signals Intelligence, and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations. Conference presentations may be classified TS/SCI US Only, Secret Releasable FVEYS or Unclassified//FOUO (please indicate which classification you are submitting for as we will have multiple sessions at various classification levels); however, abstracts must be unclassified.

All who attend will gain a better understanding with respect to current and future threats, emerging requirements, technological advances, policy, and potential opportunities for collaboration. You are invited to submit an abstract of presentation that align with the following topics:

1. Cyberspace Effects Cell – User Perspectives (17/29 series, and 25E only)
2. Emerging Threats, Capability Gaps, and Requirements
3. CEMA Contribution to the Multi-Domain Battle Concept
4. CEMA Programs and Acquisition Initiatives
5. Rapid Capabilities in Support of Urgent Needs
6. Warfighting Perspective
7. CEMA Science & Technology Trends
8. Experimentation, Exercises and Training
9. Joint, International and Industry Perspectives and Opportunities
10. Advanced Technology & Special Interest (TS/SCI)

Please forward abstracts Ms. Christine Armstrong at armstrong@crows.org by 14 July 2017. Abstracts are limited to one page of text or 400 words.

Conference Details

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: 2nd Annual Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Systems Engineering and Acquisition Conference, September 26-28
Our adversaries are using ubiquitous and cheap technology to further develop cyber warfare as well as advance and proliferate electromagnetic spectrum capabilities. Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) is the Navy's warfighting approach to gain a decisive military advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) to enable freedom of action across all Navy mission areas. Success demands a holistic system of systems focus looking not only at the systems themselves but also the "interstitial" space which is the dimension of the systems. EMW will require coordination and simultaneous integration across all domains (land, sea, subsurface, air, space, and cyber). EMW, in essence, means leveraging the cyberspace domain and the full electromagnetic spectrum for both offensive and defensive effects.

EMW is not a program, or system, or even a refined concept of operations. It is an emerging operational approach, one we must master to fully understand the battlespace. We must then use that awareness to better employ our own forces while altering the enemy's perception of the battlespace and minimizing his freedom to maneuver within it.

Mastering EMW will have commercial, financial and political impacts. It is important for program managers, engineers, and business planners to be aware of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process, the tools used, and the complexities in performing defense acquisition and systems development in the emerging EMS environment in order to provide value to managing and performing program funding and mission success.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS



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

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: DUE JULY 17
The conference committee is soliciting original presentations (both classified and unclassified) from US leaders, operators, subject matter experts and thinkers from the military, academia, and industry. You are invited to submit an unclassified abstract of presentation for the following topics:

Focus Question 1: How can combined EMW capabilities in the sea, air, and land domains generate enhanced combat effects?
Focus Question 2: How can a system of systems focus enhance EMW capabilities?
Focus Question 3: How will coordination and simultaneous integration across all domains (land, sea, subsurface, air, space, and cyber) improve EMW capabilities?
Focus Question 4: What tools, processes, innovations, techniques, and best practices can be used to support program managers and business planners in today’s unique and complex acquisition environment?

Abstracts for presentations must be unclassified and in text format. Please forward abstracts to Ms. Christine Armstrong at armstrong@crows.org by July 17, 2017. Abstracts are limited to one page of text or 400 words.

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SAVE THE DATE: 6th Annual AOC Pacific Conference, October 17-19 in Honolulu
Non-Kinetic Fires (EW & IO) in the Multi-Domain Battle

The theme for the 2017 AOC Pacific Conference, "Non-Kinetic Fires (EW & IO) in the Multi-Domain Battle," will drive discussions that build upon those from the last two AOC Pacific Conferences, that examined the role of IO in countering/defeating Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD) strategies (2016), IO in Hybrid Warfare (2015).

America’s current and potential adversaries in the Pacific regard EW and cyber as critical components of both peacetime hybrid warfare and A2/AD. An example of offensive cyber used as part of hybrid warfare is seen in the recent "Wanna Cry" computer attack, launched by North Korea’s 6,700-strong "hacking Army" which is based worldwide. The importance of effective electronic protect computer network defense was reinforced by MG Patricia Frost, who stated simply "Without the network, there is no Multi-Domain Battle." Our adversaries will make this difficult, as they seek to overmatch our EP and CND capabilities. It is a real concern among defense experts that adversaries and threat actors are employing automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities at rates that exceeding that of the U.S.

Information Operations are applicable to MDB and the A2/AD challenge in peacetime competition, as well as during conflict in an A2/AD environment. The Phase 0 challenge for the IO Staff remains that of countering and defeating adversary IO that accompanies their theater shaping activities designed to change the battlefield geometry to facilitate a stronger adversary A2/AD theater posture. Successfully overcoming A2/AD strategies in war will require an effective IO supporting effort, coordinated by IO staffs who will need to plan for an orderly and prompt transition from crisis to conflict. In both of these frames, there are a great many questions to be answered about how to do this effectively Jointly, and with Allies and Partners.

The 2017 AOC Pacific Conference will once again provide a professional venue for both unclassified and classified discussions to find those answers.

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The UK Chapter’s ever growing awards program continues to recognise excellence in EW within the UK community. This latest award was presented to the EW Team of HMS OCEAN for continued EW support during operations throughout 2016. HMS Ocean’s EW team worked diligently, professionally and very hard in order to maintain a constant and vital part of situational awareness to the Command in what was a most challenging and varied operational duty in 2016.
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CONFERENCE REPORT: AOC 8th Annual EW/Cyber Convergence Conference
The Palmetto Roost Chapter of the AOC hosted their 8th Annual CLASSIFIED Electronic Warfare/Cyber Convergence Conference June 6th through the 8th in the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center Atlantic's Cooper River Landing Conference Center. The Wando High School AFJROTC Color Guard opened the conference by posting the Colors and leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Scott Heller, welcomed the 170+ military members, government employees, and contractors in attendance.

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PIKES PEAT ROOST: EW Olympics and Symposium, July 13-14
The Association of Old Crows (AOC) - Pikes Peak Roost Chapter will host the 2017 Electronic Warfare Olympics & Symposium on July 13th & 14th, 2017 in Colorado Springs, CO.

The 2017 Electronic Warfare Olympics & Symposium will improve the capability, and marketability, of spectrum warriors by building the local EW/IO community, and bringing awareness to the capabilities in the region. The event will consist of speakers, government and industry exhibits, and Electronic Warfare Olympics. The Olympics will be a series of team-based technical challenges of varying distance and difficulty with respect to modern digital warfare. Topics will be focused on Electronic Warfare, but will also involve Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Space.

Register Now

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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 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’s Compass Call cross deck program has yet another protest to contend with, this time from Bombardier. Despite two legal challenges to the program, the Air Force intends to stay the course on its current acquisition strategy, said Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the service’s uniformed head of acquisition. "Boeing has announced their protest, and Bombardier has filed a protest as well," he told reporters Wednesday after a House Armed Services Committee hearing. "They are both in protest now, and we still remain committed, we believe we’ve got the right acquisition strategy, we remain committed to the strategy we’ve got, and we’re going to go to try to execute that strategy." (Defense News)
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A simulated tank assault was deterred using cyber weapons and electronic warfare technology during a training exercise, according to Defense Systems. Trainers stopped a simulated assault by targeting the tank crew’s radio and communication systems during the exercise at the Army's National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. "These tanks had to stop, dismount, get out of their protection, reduce their mobility," Capt. George Puryear, an Irregular Operations Officer at Fort Irwin told Defense Systems in the report. The vulnerability allowed the tanks to be easily defeated. (ArmyTimes)
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The Air Force is now equipping its fleet of F-15 fighter jets with a new, super high-speed computer intended to improve the aircraft’s electronic warfare ability, targeting technology and radar systems, service leaders said. Said to be among the fastest jet computer processor in the world, the Advanced Display Core Processor (ADCPII) is engineered to quickly handle software upgrades as new threats emerge so that it can accommodate an ability to fire new weapons -- such as the AIM-9X or AIM-120 missile. (Defense Systems)
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The Army is "taking a hard look" at its flagship tactical communications network after receiving more negative reviews from the field, said Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. He listed several issues plaguing the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, known as WIN-T: it is too complex to operate in combat conditions, it is not as transportable as it needs to be, and it is not completely secure from cyber intrusions. This is clearly bad news for the Army, as deployed soldiers depend on WIN-T for voice and data communications around the world. Milley assured a Senate panel last month that he has this under control, however. (Defense Systems)
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The U.S. Navy has decided to fund Boeing's fighter division to upgrade the service's F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets to the "Block III" configuration. The most recent budget request from the U.S. Navy allocates $264.9 million over the next five years to upgrade the Super Hornet fleet with more advanced avionics and sensor capabilities, according to Aviation Week. The first Block III Super Hornets are slated to enter service in 2019. The program is designed to keep the Navy's primary carrier-based fighter relevant deep into the 21st century. (Popular Mechanics)
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The Department of Defense made public this week its annual report to Congress on China’s military developments, shedding some light on information-based capabilities including cyber, electromagnetic spectrum operations and space operations. The report offers greater details about China’s Strategic Support Force, created in 2015. The military organization garnered less than 30 words in the DoD’s report last year, as it was in its infancy at the time of production. (C4ISRNet)
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Testifying before the Senate Armed Service Committee last week, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh painted an alarming picture of the most versatile fighting force in U.S. history: After more than 15 years of almost-constant combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marine Corps is ill-prepared for future conflicts in the changing geopolitical order. "We are at an inflection point," Walsh, Marine Corps Combat Development Command commanding general and Combat Development and Integration deputy commandant, told lawmakers on June 6. (Task & Purpose)
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