In a recent episode of AOC’s “From the Crow’s Nest” podcast, host and AOC’s Director of Advocacy and Outreach Ken Miller sat down with Luke Cabot from Inzpire Limited’s Technical and Strategic Services Division to discuss the critical challenges and innovative solutions in electronic warfare training. The conversation revealed both the urgent need for comprehensive EW education and the creative approaches being used to make complex concepts accessible to military operators across all specialties.
Making the Complex Simple
Cabot, a former RAF loadmaster turned EW instructor, emphasized that Inzpire’s approach centers on breaking down seemingly impossible concepts into understandable terms.
“Our unique selling point for my group within the Inzpire company is training. So, our ability to break down the seemingly impossibly complex subjects into simplistic terms that operators can understand at any level is crucial to what we do,” Cabot explained.
The company’s training philosophy is built on a fundamental principle that resonates throughout military operations: every service member interacts with the electromagnetic spectrum, regardless of their role. As Cabot put it, “Even if your platform is, is quote unquote silent, it really, really isn’t. It is emitting light somewhere in that spectrum. We need to get a grip of this and understand it.”
Creative Teaching Methods
What sets Inzpire’s training apart is their unconventional use of everyday objects to illustrate complex EW principles. Cabot carries a simple flashlight with him to every training session, explaining, “With this flashlight, I can teach 99% of the electromagnetic spectrum and principles because the electromagnetic spectrum is simply light and it’s different colors, 90% of which we can’t see with our human eyes.”
The company’s training booths at industry conferences feature disco lights and graffiti-covered boards – a deliberate choice to make the subject matter more engaging.
“If you want to learn the spectrum, you have to immerse yourself in it. You have to be fun and exciting,” Cabot noted.
Perhaps most creatively, Cabot uses a children’s “Guess Who” game to teach radar warning receiver operations and mission data concepts, demonstrating how familiar objects can illuminate sophisticated military systems.
Coalition Training Challenges
The conversation also addressed the broader challenges facing coalition EW training. Cabot observed that across multiple nations and services, budget constraints often prevent adequate training investment.
“What they’re not realizing is if you don’t spend that money right now, you are going to have problems at the next conflict. Because on the front line is the wrong time to ask stupid questions. The right time to ask stupid questions is in the classroom,” he emphasized.
Drawing from his recent experience teaching operators from eight different European nations, Cabot highlighted how mathematics serves as a universal language that transcends linguistic barriers.
“We have recently had no fewer than eight individual European nations on the course… all where technical English is not their first language. And yet by day three, we are writing equations, we are estimating, we are looking at parameters on the board, and we are within 90% of the real answers.”
The Education vs. Training Distinction
Cabot made a crucial distinction between training and education in the EW domain. While training focuses on procedural knowledge – understanding NATO tasks and missions – education addresses the fundamental “why” questions.
“Education is, well, why is that then, mate? Why are you doing that? Why do you need to do that? What’s this for? Why are they going to do that? What’s their next move?” he explained.
Building Future Capabilities
Looking ahead, Cabot advocates for mandatory EW fundamentals training across all military personnel, regardless of specialty. His vision extends beyond technical training to include senior leadership education, ensuring decision-makers understand the electromagnetic environment their forces operate within.
The conversation concluded with Cabot’s call for more face-to-face training opportunities, emphasizing that while virtual delivery methods have their place, the interactive nature of in-person instruction remains irreplaceable for complex technical subjects.
_____
LEARN MORE ABOUT INZPIRE’S TRAINING SOLUTIONS
Inzpire Limited’s Technical and Strategic Services Division offers operator-led EW training designed to make complex concepts accessible to military personnel at all levels. Their innovative approach combines practical experience with creative teaching methods to prepare warfighters for the electromagnetic challenges of modern operations. For more information about their training programs and technical services, visit Inzpire Limited’s website.
