The Association of Old Crows held the 60th Annual International Symposium and Convention at National Harbor, Maryland from 11 – 13 December 2023. AOC 2023, marked by over 2,800 attendees and nearly 180 exhibitors, was the largest AOC event in many years. The symposium focused on “Advancing EMS Superiority Through Strategic Alliances and Partnerships,” featuring insights from 86 speakers on topics such as the Russo-Ukrainian War, cognitive EW, JADC2, Electromagnetic Battle Management, open system architectures, space EW, and multi-national EW partnerships.

The exhibit hall showcased the dynamic EW and SIGINT industry, presenting new technologies, cognitive EW systems, AI applications, compact digital receivers, and innovative antenna technologies, demonstrating technologies and innovations from many countries around the world. The participation of almost 180 exhibitors, including smaller companies with fresh ideas and larger companies with proven solution systems, contributed significantly to the event’s vibrancy.

Nippon Control System of Japan, a partner of Intelliwings, exhibited for the first time at an AOC expo, demonstrating the ultra-high-speed DRA Series data recorder. The recorder enables data capture, processing, and storage at rates up to 30GB/second. Defense, tech, and security representatives from many countries took interest in the DRA Series recorders’ impressive ability to manage data in parallel from a variety of sources including ELINT, telemetry, HD video, telecommunications, radar, and many other high-volume/high-speed data collection systems.

In addition to the many exhibitors, AOC provided a forum for senior defense officials to share their insights into current EW issues and innovations, and predictions for the future of EW.

The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the US Navy, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the Navy’s EMSO (Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations) initiatives. He covered ongoing deployments, electronic warfare (EW) investments, and significant programs like Next Generation Jammer. Emphasizing innovation, Del Toro outlined the Navy’s commitment to investing in industry and supporting small businesses, injecting $2 billion over the past year.

VADM Stephen Koehler, Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Joint Staff, focused on the importance of understanding EMS maneuver. He highlighted the indispensable role of military leadership in orchestrating the electromagnetic spectrum for strategic and operational advantage. Koehler stressed the need for education and training to empower leaders in utilizing EMS effectively.

Rear Admiral Stephen Donald, USN, Deputy Commander of Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Navy) 10th Fleet, highlighted the 10th Fleet’s key areas of focus: assured command and control, battlespace awareness, and cyber and space effects. Assured command and control, crucial for global naval operations, faces constant adversary attacks. Battlespace awareness involves synthesizing data from various sources to provide an accurate picture of the operational environment. Under cyber and space effects, non-kinetic integrated effects are emphasized, combining cyber, space, electronic warfare, and information warfare. Admiral Donald stressed the importance of having the right skilled personnel to manage advanced capabilities, acknowledging recruitment challenges and the need for collaboration with industry, academia, and allies to ensure a competent workforce.

Lt Gen Lance Landrum, USAF (Ret.), the former 23rd Deputy Chair of NATO, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing Russia as NATO’s top security challenge and the evolving role of electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). He discussed Russia’s improving electronic warfare (EW) capabilities following the 2008 conflict in Georgia and its lessons from the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Gen Landrum outlined NATO’s EMS-related organizations, including the NATO Electromagnetic Warfare Advisory Committee (NEWAC) and the Joint EW Core Staff (JEWCS). He suggested improvements in NATO’s organization for EMS-related capabilities planning, advocating for stronger political motivation, prioritization, and military requirements to enhance EMS advocacy within the alliance. Gen Landrum highlighted the importance of including electromagnetic operations as a training discipline and integrating it into exercises and operational war plans to define requirements and elevate EW in NATO defense planning. He emphasized that momentum for these efforts must come from member nations.

AOC will hold their next annual symposium at National Harbor from 11 – 13 December 2024.