From the Crows' Nest

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Ken Miller sits down the Matt Thompson, AOC’s new Senior Analyst. Matt joined the AOC to provide operational and technical analysis of current trends in the military and industry. Matt brings years of experience in the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. Ken and Matt discuss a range of topics, including the rise of artificial intelligence, the fielding of the Navy’s Next Generation Jammer, and the arrival of the new EC-37B Compass Call.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

 In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with journalist, writer, and friend, Dr. Alix Valenti. Alix hosts her own podcast too, D-Fence, which focuses on European military and security issues. In this collaborative podcast effort, Ken and Alix discuss issues ranging from the art (and experimentation) of creating a podcast to the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In between, the cover current events, their perspectives on coalition operations, and trends in Naval EW and Undersea Warfare. You can learn more about Dr. Alix Valenti here.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The AOC recently co-hosted a panel discussion with the Hudson Institute. Moderated by AOC President Brian Hinkley and Hudson Senior Fellow Timothy Walton, we hear from representatives Rick Larsen from Washington State, Don Bacon from Nebraska, and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania for an inside Congressional perspective on the EMSO space.As chairs of the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, Representatives Larsen, Bacon, and Houlahan offer their combined expertise on a range of topics, including the defense budget, spectrum sharing, and the microelectronic supply chain.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.For more information about the Hudson Institute, visit their website. 

As the Ukraine War continues, we are learning essential lessons for the EW and EMSO communities (hint: some of them are not new)... Host Ken Miller is joined by John Knowles and Colonel Jeff "Fish" Fischer for their insights into the broader impacts of these lessons and how we can (finally?) apply them to the changing global security landscapeーfrom defense budgets to military operations.In this mid-summer update, John Knowles and Jeff Fischer give their perspectives on the war in Ukraine, delivering UAV capabilities, the Congressional Defense budget process, and the recent AOC/Hudson Institute Panel discussion with the Congressional EW Working Group.John Knowles is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance.Jeff Fischer is a retired Air Force Colonel and author.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode, we hear insights from a webinar with VADM Frank "Spanky" Morley about the current state of play in today’s Department of the Navy acquisition efforts. Frank is the Principal Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He discusses the challenges of acquisition efforts and how we can move forward in today's changing world order.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

At AOC Europe, EW experts gathered to discuss the most significant challenges and potential solutions for achieving multi-domain integration. In this episode, Ken Miller speaks with some of these experts to walk us through the main takeaways from the first day of the conference.  Ken and the guests discuss achieving integration in coalition operations, the role of EMSO in multi-domain operations, and the need for consistent and adaptive training in EMSO. Guests include Colonel Jeff Fisher, John Knowles, Brian Hinkley, and Marc Magram.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

In this episode, join host Ken as he unravels the intricate world of the congressional defense budget process. Joined by Madison Arcangeli, Katy Nazaretova from Forza DC, and Paul Arcangeli, former Staff Director of the House Armed Services Committee, they delve into the blend of procedures and politics that shape the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Defense Appropriations Act. Explore how Congress manages to get its work done, even amidst a cloudy timeline, and gain valuable insights into what to expect from both chambers in the coming weeks. Additionally, get an exclusive glimpse into the state of electromagnetic spectrum operations across the services in the early version of the NDAA. Tune in as we decode the intricate workings of the congressional defense budget process and shed light on the path to progress. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

Effective communication and decision-making are critical for success in multi-domain operations (MDO) in today's fast-paced world.  While in Germany attending AOC Europe, Host Ken Miller took the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Thomas Withington, newsletter editor for Armada International, who shares the most important lessons we've learned in achieving multi-domain integration.Ken and Dr. Withington discuss the crucial need for network resiliency in NATO's multi-domain integration, the all-of-government approach necessary for cybersecurity and vulnerability management, and navigating the landscape of multi-domain operations and their inherent difficulties. 

Congress is marking up the U.S. defense budget, and the budget's priorities could have implications for how the U.S. strategizes EMS superiority. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with John Knowles, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance, to discuss the current state of the EMSO community and the priorities of the U.S. defense budget moving forward.Ken and John discuss Congress’ thought process on the priorities for the defense budget, the importance of joint training and readiness in EW, and the challenges of coordinating and training with allies in the Asia-Pacific region.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

The US-China competitive relationship is very complex, reaching every aspect of society, the economy, and the military. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with Dean Cheng of the U.S. Institute of Peace about China’s doctrine on information dominance and its implications for global power politics.Dean Cheng is the Senior Advisor for the Institute of Peace and Senior Fellow atthe Potomac Institute. Ken and Dean discuss China’s approach to intelligence gathering, their long-term goal and end game, and the greater implications of the China-Taiwan conflict. They also discuss how China is capitalizing on the Russia-Ukraine War and approaching oil production in the Middle East. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

The topic of Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) always brings up many different perspectives and ideas for its execution and implementation. Ken Miller talks with EW Writer and Analyst Dr. Thomas Withington about the latest developments of JADC2 and its implications for modern warfare. Dr. Withington is the newsletter editor for Armada International and shares his analysis of what JADC2 is working to accomplish. Ken and Dr. Withington compare how JADC2 would unfold against a strategic competitor like China versus an acute threat like Russia. They also discuss the need for improved inter-service collaboration, the importance of data standardization and risk-management approach when implementing AI and ML technologies, and JADC2’s ability to improve decision-making on the battlefield.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

The U.S. relies highly on GPS, navigation timing systems, and satellites. And recently, GPS was labeled as a single point of failure for America by the Director of Resilience on the National Security Council. To discuss the impacts of this, Ken Miller talks with Dana Goward about the significance of GPS today and the potential risks posed by interference and spoofing.As President of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation and a member of the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board, Dana provides invaluable insight into the world of GPS technology and its vulnerabilities. Ken and Dana also discuss how GPS jamming is unfolding in global conflicts and how the U.S. can better protect critical infrastructure from attacks on GPS signals.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

The power struggle between the U.S. and China is all too familiar. After the Chinese-operated balloon traveled from the Aleutian Islands down to the US Heartland, the defense community is speculating if this was simply another chapter in our power struggle or if China is seeking specific intelligence from the US. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with journalist Michael Fabey about the implications of the Chinese-operated balloon and how the Arctic region is emerging as a new global security frontier.Michael Fabey is an award-winning journalist and author currently researching the US Arctic region and the implications this region holds for global security. Ken and Michael discuss what information China likely received through the balloon, why the US took so long to address it, and the likelihood that a US homeland attack would occur in the Aleutian Island-Arctic region.Ken also commends the new podcast D-Fence, hosted by Dr. Alix Valenti. You can learn more about her and the podcast here. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. Ken 

We all face complex challenges to global security and can examine these issues from many different perspectives. One of these perspectives is fiction storytelling, which often comes close to fact and reflects current problems. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with author Jeffrey Fischer to discuss his military fiction books and how to use these stories to help us learn, adapt, and explore creative solutions that address global security challenges today. Jeff Fischer is a military fiction author, retired US Air Force Colonel, longtime aviator, and EW officer. Jeff discusses his journey from being in the military to becoming a writer and how this has given him insight into global security issues. Ken and Jeff discuss Live Range and Balkan Reprisal, two books exploring these themes through Dr. Kurt Nover's story. Dr. Nover is the main character who is a retired Navy Seal turned medical doctor who battles PTSD and finds himself caught in the middle of global security-altering events.You can find Jeff’s books here. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

Directed energy has progressed significantly in the past year, with warfighters field-testing multiple prototypes. But how can we ensure the technology is operationally relevant from the lab to the user? Ken Miller talks with Christopher Behre about how the directed energy community is progressing and scaling directed energy weapons that ensure mission success. Chris Behre is Principal Engineer for Directed Energy Weapons for Electronic Warfare in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Ken and Chris discuss the achievements of directed energy innovations, the need to focus on overhauling testing facilities and infrastructure to improve capabilities, and how each military branch is using directed energy weapons. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage. 

The production of state-of-the-art microelectronics is the most complex engineering feat that humans have been able to achieve. But the US has struggled to maintain its competitive edge in microelectronic manufacturing. In this episode, Ken and the Draper Team continue their discussion and explore solutions that address our problems in the microelectronics supply chain. The US has lost a great deal of leadership in the silicon and circuit board manufacturing industries to manufacturers in Asia. Ken and the Draper team discuss the state of the US semiconductor industry and its comparison to global competitors, the disadvantages the US chip industry has due to outsourcing manufacturing to other countries, and how the US should reinvest in increasing our scientific and technological edge in microelectronics.Jennifer Santos, David Hagerstrom, and Geremy Freifeld work for Draper, an independent nonprofit engineering innovation company.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Microelectronics is one of the United States’ biggest security risks, and the supply chain remains vulnerable. In this episode, Ken Miller continues the microelectronics discussion to understand how the United States should invest in its industry partners to maintain its competitive edge in the global market and maintain national security. To find this out, Ken sits down with Jennifer Santos and her team from Draper, an independent nonprofit engineering innovation company. They dive into the microelectronics supply chain, tech challenges, and opportunities; this episode is Part One of the conversation.Jennifer Santos, David Hagerstrom, and Geremy Freifeld consider domestic sourcing and manufacturing of semiconductors a national security matter. They discuss how the US competitiveness in microelectronics has evolved and the purpose the CHIPS Act serves. They also compare how the US dissects its industrial base to how China and other competitors examine theirs.To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website.

Entrepreneurs in defense face a difficult challenge; navigating red tape and developing innovations for bureaucracies is no easy task. In this episode, Ken Miller talks with entrepreneur and business executive Rick Lu to discover how entrepreneurs and startups can get through the door of agencies to develop niche technologies that satisfy all stakeholders.Rick Lu has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry and has founded two successful startup companies in the electronic warfare, communications, and C5ISR industries. Rick and Ken discuss the significance of developing relationships with the right people in agencies, understanding the different motivators of various organizations, and taking calculated risks. Then, Rick updates us on how the DoD is creating more opportunities for small businesses and startups to engage with them early in the technology development process. To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Microelectronics is in the news and a key focus of current legislation. It is a part of everything we do in the military and business. But do we properly understand the microelectronics sector to make the right business, government, and policy decisions? In this episode, Ken Miller dives deeper into the topic with scholar and author Chris Miller to better understand the history of chip design and manufacturing and the impact of chips on all aspects of life.  Chris teaches international history at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and recently wrote the book Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Together, Ken and Chris discuss the history of microelectronics, production and design challenges, the possibilities The Chips Act funding opened, dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, and the role of government in the chip technology industry.  To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our website. 

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller, is joined by author, futurist, and former NSA official, Dr. Eric Haseltine. Ken also welcomes special co-host, Retired US Air Force Brigadier General Guy Walsh, now serving as the Executive Director of the National Security Collaboration Center at the University of Texas San Antonio. Ken, Guy, and Eric discuss how to pursue innovation in large bureaucracies that are often resistant to change and new ideas (hint: it’s about building the right relationships and using the strengths of an organization to your advantage). Eric, a respected neuroscientist, also provided a keynote address at AOC 2022 about what we can learn from nature and evolutionary biology to maintain a military advantage in electromagnetic warfare and cyber. They discuss his presentation and his two recent books:  Riding the Monster: Five Ways to Innovate Inside Bureaucracies, and The Spy in Moscow Station: A Counterspy’s Hunt for a Deadly Cold War Threat. For more information on this episode and the AOC, please visit our website here.