From the Crows' Nest

Host Ken Miller sits with Colonel William “Dollar” E. Young, Jr, the Commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida, at the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken and Col. Young discuss the theme of this week, All Domain Operations, “how do we win the fight for the EMS,” and what “winning” looks like for the Spectrum Warfare Wing. They also build on Col. Young’s presentation and the main message he wants to deliver to the audience and what he wants to hear over the remainder of the convention. To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Mercury Systems. 

In this special episode, Host Ken Miller kicks off the first day of the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention. Ken sits with Colonel (Retired) Jim “Hook” Pryor, AOC Board of Directors and AOC 2021 Committee Chairman. They discuss the keynote presentations by Lt. Gen. Steve Wilson and Ms. Heidi Shyu and discuss their shared perspective on military service (USAF) and civilian leadership (USD R&E). Ken then welcome Rodger Hosking to the show for a look into Mercury Systems. They discuss the quintessential products of Mercury Systems and what Mercury is showcasing here at AOC2021.To learn more about the 58th International Symposium and Annual Convention and today’s topics and to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Mercury Systems. 

The Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Cross-Functional Team (CFT) established by Congress a few years ago has been focusing on developing a new EMS Superiority Strategy and a comprehensive implementation plan that is now going into effect across the Department of Defense (DOD). Podcast host Ken Miller sits with Brig. Gen. Darrin Leleux, Deputy Director of the EMSO CFT and Deputy Director for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and Space Requirements, Joint Staff (J8). Ken and Brig. Gen. Leleux address gaps in electromagnetic warfare and EMSO capabilities and where we are in the implementation of the strategy. They also share how the entire EMSO community across DOD, the military services, Congress, industry, and academia must work together to ensure the necessary oversight and progress by 2030 to achieve and sustain a military advantage in the EMS.

Digital Transformation is creating new business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet the market requirements. Technology, data, and the cloud are concepts that have come together so that we can tackle information together. A fundamental piece of digital transformation is getting to a point where we share our information and have a framework where it's not just our information, but collective information that is shared by the community. In this episode, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Mr. Ryan Tintner, Vice President of Digital Transformation at Northrop Grumman Corporation. They define what digital transformation means from an industry perspective as they move through the concept of all-domain operations. Ken and Ryan discuss how digital transformation means different things to different missions, and Ryan explains how it helps an organization integrate technology, people, and processes to do everything faster and more effectively. Open systems architecture is an important piece of digital transformation, and this episode expands on what it means in sustainment and the life cycle costs of technology and systems and what it all means for the DoD. 

Open Systems Architecture (OSA) is changing the defense electronics market and the business dynamics of today’s Department of Defense (DOD). The Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) can streamline US military capabilities and enable technological agility, adaptability and speed of development for an advantage in modern combat. With the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium releasing new technical standards this month, From the Crows’ Nest host, Ken Miller, sits down with Dr. Ilya Lipkin from the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Mr. Ben Peddicord from the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command to discuss this new standards benchmark and how the Tri-Services – Army, Air Force, and Navy – plan to leverage MOSA for development of advance warfighting technology.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. The AOC thanks Pacific Defense for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Dr. William Conley, Chief Technology Officer at Mercury Systems. Microelectronics hold significant importance to EMSO as it represents the technology backbone of spectrum operations. Ken and Dr. Conley discuss the dynamic ecosystem of the world we live in and the recent changes in the microelectronics supply chain. There is a significant dependency on microelectronics technology and DOD requirement for state-of-the-art microelectronics for the future fight. Dr. Conley explains that the point for DOD is not to make any significant sweeping changes but instead, bring in specialists and system architects that can go through and implement designs in less time. Part of balancing approaches includes investing in innovation, subsidies, and other direct funding to support the ecosystem. Private sector collaborations and policy implementations have a direct impact on the supply chain as well. Lastly, Ken and Dr. Conley discuss the nuances that can lead to ineffective solutions and security vulnerabilities and the implementation of “zero trust” approach to enable the acquisition of assured electronics from untrusted components.To learn more about today’s topics or stay updated on the EMSO community, visit our website.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

In this episode, podcast host Ken Miller sits with Mr. David Tremper, the Director of Electronic Warfare and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Ken and David discuss the acquisition of new EW capabilities across the military services in the FY 2022 Defense Budget, the growing emphasis on EMS Survivability, and the rise of collaborative systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning, and how these new systems are shaping our ability to achieve EMS superiority.  To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

In this episode, Host Ken Miller recaps and shares excerpts from a conversation he had earlier with Mr. John Knowles, editor of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). They cover a range of issues from the defense budget to JADC2, and some upcoming additions of the JED that are coming out in September. Ken also shares exciting news about upcoming From the Crows’ Nest episodes, including a sit down with Mr. David Weinberger, author of the book Everyday Chaos: Technology, Complexity, and How We’re Thriving in a New World of Possibility. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Modern warfare is becoming increasingly dependent on the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS). All command and control, communications, ISR, precision guided munitions, GPS, and low observable (stealth) technology depend on the ability to control the EMS. Our competitors have recognized this and are manning, training, and equipping themselves to deny us freedom to act in the EMS. Often discounted simply as lightning bolts on PowerPoint, the EMS has long been neglected. In this special episode, we present to you coverage from the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum: Drink & Think on Moving Beyond Lighting Bolts On PowerPoint, an event hosted at AOC headquarters, in Alexandria, Virginia. We hear from Ken Miller, Director of Advocacy & Outreach at the Association of Old Crows, Scott Oliver, Director of the Board of Advisors at the RVJ Institute, Pat Flood, Senior National Security Policy Advisor at the U.S. House of Representatives. The event was moderated by Courtney Barno, Code Director of DC Agora. Ken and guests discuss why a whole nation approach is necessary to ensure freedom of action within the EMS at the time and place of our choosing. Necessary efforts range from renewed government policies and reinvigorated academic research, to leap-ahead industrial technologies. The EMS represents a giant opportunity space for warfighters, entrepreneurs, investors, technologists, researchers, and policymakers alike. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Pacific Defense. 

Open systems architecture is changing the defense electronics market and business dynamics of the Department of Defense (DOD). Advancing software and hardware standards across DOD and military services is leading us to rethink the bridge that connects research & engineering (R&E) to acquisition. But challenges exist, including intellectual property rights, conformance, and architectural constraints early in development.  In this episode, Host Ken Miller is joined by Mr. Rodger Hosking from Mercury Systems and leader in the Sensor Open System Architecture (SOSA) Consortium; and Mr. Patrick Collier from the Aspen Consulting Group. We discuss these issues and challenges as DOD is set to release new standards later this summer. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.The AOC thanks Northrop Grumman Corporation for sponsoring this episode.