AOC Staff Report
The 10th anniversary of the Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Conference held at Aberdeen Proving Ground was a landmark event that brought together 647 professionals in the electromagnetic warfare and cyber space. This year’s conference was a special celebration of a decade of advancements, collaborations, and strategic developments in the realm of electromagnetic spectrum operations.
Key Discussions and Innovations
The conference featured an array of high-profile speakers including Ms. Liz Miranda, SES, Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Communications-Electronics Command and BG Wayne “Ed” Barker from the Office of the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (IEW&S). Their opening remarks highlighted the continuous need for innovation and adaptability in defense technologies.
A standout panel on the “Launched Effects Family of Systems” featured Mr. Dennis Teefy, Project Director of Sensors Aerial Intelligence at PEO IEW&S, among others, discussing the integration of advanced systems for enhanced battlefield intelligence.
Mr. Eric Lindahl’s talk on “Integrating LLMs for Enhanced EW Data Analysis in Multi-Domain Operations” highlighted the potential of machine learning to revolutionize data analysis in electronic warfare.
On the final day of the conference MG Paul Stanton, Commanding General, Ft Eisenhower and the Cyber Center of Excellence led a dynamic panel with representatives from PEO IEW&S, HQDA G2 ISR Task Force, the Intelligence Center of Excellence, and the Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center. This austere panel of senior leaders addressed “The State of Army EW” and discussed lessons learned from Ukraine which have influenced recent materiel decisions to move to disaggregated Electronic Support/Electronic Attack capabilities. Other topics included the shift towards ground and air robots and drones performing various currently manned missions, rapid reprogrammability, and launched effects as a new way of delivering kinetic and non-kinetic effects. Lastly, deep sensing is a critical Army capability required during Large Scale Combat Operations, and as a result, a newly established All Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team will be operational later this year to provide the necessary focus.
Networking and Celebratory Notes
The conference not only served as a platform for sharing knowledge but also as a celebration of its 10-year journey. The Raven’s Networking Tent was the heartbeat of the conference, where attendees enjoyed breaks filled with robust discussions and light-hearted exchanges. Evening networking receptions held at historic locations such as the Vandiver Inn and the Bulle Rock Golf Club provided perfect backdrops for informal interactions and continued conversations on the day’s themes.
Conclusion
As the event concluded, Mr. Giorgio Bertoli and Mr. Mike Schwartz emphasized the critical role of collaboration and continuous learning in the field. Their closing remarks celebrated the past decade’s achievements and set a forward-looking tone for future innovations.
The CEMA Conference 2024 was more than just a conference; it was a milestone that celebrated ten years of significant contributions to the fields of cyber and electromagnetic activities, leaving participants both nostalgic and inspired as they look towards the future of the domain.
