eCrow Newsletter

AOC


SEE YOU IN PHOENIX!  Register On-Site for the 49th Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention
Not registered for the 49th Annual AOC International Symposium & Convention? You can still come and register on-site starting Sunday in the Phoenix Convention Center. In addition to the exceptional lineup of keynote speakers, this year's Symposium includes 13 educational sessions with top level speakers from military, government and industry.

The Classified Symposium, "Intelligence Data Requirements for Next Generation Platforms and Conflicts" is September 27 at Luke AFB in Phoenix. Key speaker just announced: Brig. Gen. Jose J. Salinas.
Click here to view the symposium agenda!

Also visit our Convention pages at crows.org to check out the updated Symposium agenda and speakers and find schedule and travel details!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

2012 AOC Gold Medal Winner

Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson
, Deputy Commanding General, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command


"Unveiling the Unified Command Plan for the EMS Warrior"

"Developing the Joint Force for 2020"
 
"Big Data. New Physics. The Ultimate 'Weak Signal' Detection Weapon"

"Imagining the Next Evolution of National Security"


 

LAST CHANCE! PICK UP AN EDUCATION Course at the 49th Annual AOC Symposium in Phoenix!
Make the most of your AOC Convention trip, add one of these convenient on-site courses planned for Phoenix!
Full Convention Details

September 18-21
: Electronic Warfare Update Course
Course Details

September 20-21: Effectiveness Evaluation of Electronic Self Protection
Course Details

September 22-23: Modeling and Simulation Course
Course Details

September 22-23: Survey of EM Battle Management Applications
Course Details

September 25: Survey of EW and Cyber Applications
Course Details

September 27-28
: Radar for Electronic Warfare Professionals Course
Course Details

September 27-28: Survey of EW Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Applications and Payloads
Course Details


 
HOTEL DEADLINE MONDAY! Discuss Critical Issues at the Pacific Theater Air, Sea, Land Battle Concept: IO/EW/Cyber Operations Conference, October 16-18
The Information Operations Institute and the Association of Old Crows are proud to present this conference on the hottest topic facing the world today and in the future: the Pacific Rim. Sessions include topics on the South China Sea and surrounding waterways of global significance. AOC has a block of discounted rooms at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but the hotel booking deadline is Monday, September 24, so secure your room today!

DON'T MISS THESE NOTABLE SPEAKERS:

Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf, USAF (Ret.)
Director, Asia-Pacific Center for Strategic Studies

Wg. Cdr. John Clifford OBE, RAF (Ret.)

Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez (invited)
Coordinator for Strategic Counterterrorism  Communications, U.S. Department of State

Ambassador Brian Carlson
Senior Liaison for Strategic Communication, U.S. Department of State

Click here to see the updated agenda

This international conference brings experts from the U.S., Japan, Korea and other countries to discuss the issues affecting this area, new concepts of operations (air, sea, land battle concept), with a concentration on programming and budget areas. The South China Sea is an area of primary concern for many nations and it is critical that all nations come together to build viable joint concepts and ensure the programming funding is in place to bring the concepts to fruition.
Register Now


 

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Cyber Security Ecosystem – An Interagency, Public-Private, and Coalition Challenge

Dealing with the sophisticated threats facing our networks requires a seamless interaction between domains and public-private sectors and among Coalition Partners. This conference will examine in a classified environment the current state of those seams and the challenges ahead. Read below to find out more about this jointly supported conference between the Association of Old Crows Information Operations Institute (AOC IOI), Northrop Grumman and other U.S. Defense Industry Partners.
Learn How to Attend


 

REGISTER NOW: Worldwide Emerging Technologies Utilizing Foreign Military Sales Conference, November 14-16 in Alexandria

Take advantage of this strategic event in the D.C. area and gain valuable insights into the technologies emerging on the worldwide stage and how best to position your business to take advantage of opportunities available through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process.
Watch for More Details


 

EDUCATING THE SPECTRUM WARRIOR: Make Plan Now to Attend the Harnessing STEM & Spectrum Management Conference this November in Florida!
This inaugural conference addresses key Special Operations concerns about tomorrow’s EMS battlespace, specifically the programming, planning and execution of operational Special Operations Forces within the EMS across all domains. This highly charged aspect of the conference will have presentations from SOF senior leaders, operators and programmers. Declining SOF budgets make it imperative that government, industry and academia come together to demonstrate innovation in speedy acquisition and development of critical EMS enabling capabilities.
 

THIS NOVEMBER IN KUALA LUMPUR: The Future of Electronic Warfare in the ASEAN and Pacific Regions
EW Asia 2012 will build on the success of last year's inaugural event when more than 300 attendees and 20 leading exhibitors met in Singapore. On November 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, government, military commanders, military operators, politicians, scientists, academics and the industry will come together to discuss the latest developments in EW and related EM capabilities, such as ISTAR, communications and SIGINT across all war-fighting domains. EW Asia 2012 will also provide the opportunity for international industry to explore the possibilities in the rapidly expanding markets in the ASEAN region.

This year’s event will feature conference sessions over two days (November 27-28), social and networking events and a dedicated exhibition area. The AOC welcomes the opportunity to work with a new logistics partner, Tangent Link, which has considerable expertise in the region and in EW and related events.
Learn More...


 

DISCUSS VITAL UNMANNED SYSTEMS: 2012 UAS/RPA Payloads/Requirements/ Operations Conference, December 4-6 at Nellis AFB!

This conference will explore current payloads and operations in ongoing day-to-day operations. We will discuss and identify short-term and long-term program requirements, identify capability gaps and help develop courses of action to address them.

Today, it is more important than ever to bring military, government, industry, academia and research labs together to ensure our military men and women have the tools and knowledge needed to be successful in tomorrow's battlespace. Both state-supported and non-state-supported adversaries' acquisition timeline is many times inside of the U.S. and our Allies timeline due to them using OTS equipment and utilizing the fast pace of technologies to improvise these products for use in the battlespace.

It is imperative for us to continue to identify current and future capabilities and gaps to develop courses of action utilizing each organizations' knowledge, technology, R&D and manpower.
Learn More...


 

SHAPE THE BATTLEFIELD: Attend the AOC Land EW Conference, December 11-13 in Quantico, VA
Within many military circles, it is becoming more and more evident that the electromagnetic spectrum and its manipulation, with a variety of toolsets, will dictate the actions of commanders in the 21st century. Whether monitoring a ground radar or leading from an operations center, the increased attention revolving around cyberspace and activities associated with the information environment are warranted given their ability to manipulate a commander’s perception of the battlefield. From an EMS perspective, the challenge is twofold: identifying the right technologies and then institutionalizing their use. Effective manipulation of the EMS requires that members clearly understand their roles and responsibilities so as to ensure spectrum activities support commander’s intent.

History has demonstrated that commanders who shape their battlefield, thereby dictating the tempo of operations, will eventually emerge victorious. However, history also has proven that control of a single war-fighting domain does not allow a commander to dictate terms within the battlespace. It is the combining of arms in all of the domains that has proven the most effective in eventually defeating or placating an adversary.

The AOC Land EW Conference provides focus on technological and organizational efforts, from land component perspective toward meeting these ends. Sessions and demonstrations provide evidence of how the U.S. and Allied services are implementing technology and changing organizational paradigms in order to manipulate the EMS environment.

Learn More...


 
Fellow Crows,

Today, our community faces one of its most challenging and also opportunistic times. Senior leaders in our governments now realize how important EW is and how the contested/congested spectrum is the medium where all future successful operations will be decided. EW programs
historically have undergone cyclical lapses that correspond with immediate threats to our warfighters. 

For example, in the United States; thanks to our passionate community leaders, EW is among the few real growth areas in the DoD’s 2013 budget. U.S. leaders plan to spend $4.95 billion in Electro-optics and EW – a 7.6 percent increase over 2012. The largest spending areas include ongoing EA-18 Growler procurement, JIEDDO’s "Attack the Network" project, B-2 defensive management system upgrades, large aircraft countermeasures, Next Generation Jammer development, and ongoing procurements of JCREW and AN/SLQ-32 improvements. These advancements are happening in the wake of more than $487 billion in cuts established in this year’s U.S. Budget Control Act.

Sequestration poses additional unacceptable risks, which could lead to more than $1 trillion in reductions government-wide over the next 10 years, with potentially disastrous consequences not only for U.S. warfighters and national security, but U.S. partners as well. These cuts are happening in the middle of the most dynamic and complex security environment most of us have ever known; precisely at a time when advanced technologies are spreading cheaply across the world, eroding our technological advantages. Globally, we cannot afford to have our defense industrial base marginalized and lose the innovation and skill across our community. Now is the time for the AOC community to unite and speak with one voice to ensure that we maintain our warfighting edge.

For almost 50 years your AOC has been bridging the gap between Electronic Warfare and Information Operations practitioners, industry partners and decision-makers. Professionals from government, military, academia and the private sector have looked to the AOC to provide insight to emerging technologies and the latest developments to protect the warfighter.

Our membership continues to grow with representatives in over 40 countries. Today, our non-industry members composition is Army – 25.5 percent, Navy – 14.9 percent, Marines/Coast Guard – 14.9 percent, Air Force – 27.7 percent and other Government – 17 percent. Our jobs span across the fields of data processing, engineering support, engineering research and development, management, marketing and sales, operations, acquisition, procurement, production, testing and simulation and training in all aspects of EM spectrum operations, EW, Cyber-EW, Space Operations and Information Operations.

The AOC is the only professional association that represents you, the subject matter experts in EW, IO and EM spectrum operations, and collectively our role has never been more important. We value what it means to be a "Crow" – the leaders for fifty years in advancing ground breaking research, technologies and concepts. Many of you, however, may not be aware of all the advantages that come with your professional membership.

Beyond the subscription to our premier Journal of Electronic Defense, your membership provides:
  • Affiliation with your professional peers through multiple channels to include online tools
  • Networking opportunities across our roosts, conferences and our annual symposium and convention
  • Recognition of our nation’s finest in the only EW Professional award program
  • Advanced and focused technical and operational education
  • Reduced rates for flights, rental cars, office space, clothing, health care, and long-term care, recognizing your contributions to our communities well-being
  • National representation on issues affecting our community
  • Opportunities to mentor and ensure that the next generation of Crows is prepared to continue and build upon the legacy of which each of us is so proud
Most importantly, AOC offers you the opportunity to strengthen the bonds of our international EM Spectrum coalition of military, government, industry and academia.

Today, Crows are rising to today’s emerging challenges, taking on non-traditional issues in the areas of defense, homeland security, national commerce and more. Collectively, government and industry members, chapters and your AOC staff must work together to ensure that our ability to achieve national security objectives is not undermined in any of our member countries. The professional members of your international staff remain focused on supporting the AOC’s most important asset – its members. I anxiously look forward to meeting with you in Phoenix at this year’s national convention starting September 23.

Non Videbunt, 
Don Richetti

 

 
The Patriots' Roost 10th annual Net-Centric Operations Conference held September 10 featured a diverse array of speakers who extolled the value of collaboration in acquiring, supporting and operating intelligence-gathering systems and cyber tools. (Defence Professionals)
Learn More...


 
Suite of Four Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers for EW, ECM Defense Applications Span 2-18 GHz Frequency Range

September 10, 2012 – Fremont, Calif. – dB Control, a manufacturer of reliable, high-powered microwave amplifiers, radar/electronic countermeasure (ECM) transmitters and power supplies, will introduce a suite of four pulsed power-combined Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) in Booth 421 at the 49th Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention in Phoenix, Arizona September 23-26, 2012. The new TWTAs use two wideband, periodic permanent magnet (PPM)-focused TWTs to amplify CW, AM, FM or pulse-modulated signals. Available for either local or remote operation, the devices are suitable for test and measurement, RFI/EMI/EMC testing, antenna pattern and radar cross-section measurements, electronic countermeasures (ECM) and Electronic Warfare (EW) simulation. Specifications include:

  • dB-3901: 10kW PW output, 6% duty cycle, 2-4 GHz frequency range
  • dB-3902: 8kW PW output, 6% duty cycle, 4-8 GHz frequency range
  • dB-3903: 9kW PW output, 8% duty cycle, 8-12 GHz frequency range
  • dB-3904: 7kW PW output, 6% duty cycle, 12-18 GHz frequency range
"Protection from future threats is non-negotiable in the defense industry – and TWT technology continues to make this possible. This new suite of amplifiers proves that TWTAs remain an unparalleled and reliable option for rugged, high-power military applications. And with only one RF input and one RF output, they are extremely easy to operate," said dB Control Vice President of Business Development Steve Walley.

Designed and manufactured in-house, the TWTAs employ a modular architecture and low-noise power supply topology. In addition, dB Control utilizes the proprietary transformer fabrication, encapsulation and high-voltage potting techniques it developed specifically for demanding military applications.

About dB Control
Established in 1990, dB Control Corp., a subsidiary of the Electronic Technologies Group (ETG) of HEICO Corp., supplies mission-critical, often sole-source, products worldwide to military organizations, as well as to major defense contractors and commercial manufacturers. dB Control designs and manufactures reliable high-power TWT Amplifiers (TWTAs), microwave power modules (MPMs), transmitters and power supplies with modulators for radar, electronic countermeasures (ECM), data links, communications and instrumentation applications. The company’s high-power amplifiers use solid state, as well as vacuum electron devices and cover the 1 to 50 GHz frequency range. The modularity of dB Control’s designs enables rapid configuration of custom products for a variety of platforms, including ground-based and high-altitude military manned and unmanned aircraft. dB Control has an outstanding record of successfully repairing, refurbishing and replacing tightly packaged high-voltage transformers, assemblies and power supplies. The company offers specialized contract manufacturing, transformer winding and testing, full vacuum encapsulation, pressure cure, conformal coating and repair depot services from its modern 52,100-square-foot facilities in Fremont, California. www.dBControl.com.

###
Contacts:
Steven Olson, dB Control: 510-656-2325, ext. 297
Vanessa Bradford, c3PR: 408-730-8506, mobile 209-505-3690


 

 
Rohde & Schwarz
Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions
Anritsu Company
DynamicSignals LLC
Giga-tronics Incorporated
CTT, Inc.
Delta Microwave
Crane Aerospace & Electronics