"Coalition EW in near-peer conflict"
Last week’s Association of Old Crows (AOC) conference at Pt. Mugu, I feel, was an all around good show. It was noted as their first classified AUKUS coalition event, which speaks volumes about the much-needed collaboration between our nations. Seeing the strong turnout from the UK and Australia was encouraging and facilitated a genuinely collaborative environment, especially with key decision-makers and top experts from those nations present. It would have been great to have an equally strong representation from U.S. DoD leadership to underline this event's significance further. Still, understandably, the recent restrictions on travel likely limited that possibility significantly.
The briefings covered a few interesting topics but varied considerably in their practical value. While gathering to discuss ideas is always beneficial, my typical critique is that I’d love future events to lean more toward actionable outcomes and think along the lines of a Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). Clear and targeted technology lists highlighting specific, FUNDED priority areas within electronic warfare, cyber, advanced spectrum management, sensor fusion technologies, and data analytics would significantly enhance any conference experience. Industry participants attend these events to secure ROIs by discovering concrete, funded opportunities clearly articulated by the right decision-makers. Having explicit "no shit" areas of interest directly from those controlling the budgets significantly increases the practical value and justifications for attending. Even better, offering actual BAAs, defined contract vehicles, or straightforward paths for industry collaboration outside of "contact small business office or just giving us a talk around" would amplify meaningful participation and attract high-quality attendees.
One observation I have is that several briefings were presented by people who were not the original authors of the white papers/presentations. Unfortunately, this impacted the quality of the interactions, as presenters often lacked the detailed knowledge necessary to articulate the complex theories or methodologies fully. Ideally, original authors sharing their insights directly would significantly enhance collaboration and understanding.
On a more positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed presentations from Air Commodore Peter Robinson (Commander Air Combat Group Royal Australian Air Force ), Air Commodore Patrick J Shea-Simonds (Head of Capability Futures, Royal Air Force (RAF), and Air Commodore J Blythe Crawford (Commandant Air & Space Warfare Centre, Royal Air Force Waddington). These leaders stood out by clearly and effectively communicating their strategic directions, which is precisely the type of clarity our community appreciates.
The U.S., however, continues grappling with its typical bureaucratic hurdles and overlapping efforts between services. I believe Captain David “Yub Nub” Halal summed it up well, emphasizing how our policy issues remain substantial roadblocks that are out of industry control. This is something he is specifically trying to tackle himself. This resonates deeply with my experiences within this domain. Over-classification, inconsistent/duplicative policies, and technological silos consistently hold us back, reducing our agility and efficiency.
Given these challenges, the role of AUKUS is even more crucial. Witnessing this coalition begin addressing policy obstacles and actively enhancing cooperation among allies is encouraging. If we aim to stay relevant and effective in spectrum control, it’s vital to leverage each nation's strengths smartly and collaboratively. Of course, there’s still some uncertainty about how quickly and effectively this cooperation will progress due to our existing geo-political and bureaucratic complexities. Still, overall, the mood at the event was optimistic and productive.
Finally, a massive shout-out to AOC for organizing such an exceptional event. Pulling off a classified international gathering of this scale undoubtedly required years of dedication and meticulous coordination. Thomas Bluhm and David Wood deserve credit as well; their moderation kept discussions lively, engaging, and focused.
It was fantastic connecting and being surrounded with so many bright minds again. The opportunity AOC provides annually to gather such deep expertise in one place is always greatly appreciated.
Remember our ethos "In God We Trust, All Others We Monitor, Jam, or Deceive" -Crows