Cyber/EW Convergence 2025 Emphasizes Real-Time Intelligence and Operational Synergy
200+ Defense Experts Convened for the Summit This June in South Carolina
More than 200 military officials, government representatives, industry leaders, and academics gathered at the Naval Weapons Station – Joint Base Charleston for the Cyber/EW Convergence 2025 summit, hosted by the Association of Old Crows and its Palmetto Roost Chapter in collaboration with Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic.
The two-day classified summit, held June 3-4 at the Cooper River Landing Center, brought together defense professionals to address critical challenges in electronic warfare and cyber operations. Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, US Marine Corp (Ret.), and NIWC Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew R. O’Neal welcomed attendees to the event.
Focus on Operational Integration
This year’s summit emphasized operational synergy between electronic warfare and cyber capabilities. Key discussion topics included national-tactical interoperability, intelligence community warfighter support, mission data integration, and software-driven capabilities.
Participants also examined Platform One and Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), which defense officials consider essential enablers for real-time decision-making and maintaining operational superiority in contested environments.
Palmetto Roost Chapter President Rear Adm. Tim Kuehhas, US Navy (Ret.), and AOC At-Large Director Ken Dworkin, SES (Ret.), served as masters of ceremonies, guiding sessions that explored how electronic warfare capabilities can be integrated with cyber warfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations tactics to control the spectrum, secure data, and integrate real-time intelligence.
Intelligence Assessment and Multi-Agency Participation
Keynote speaker Rear Adm. Steve Parode, USN (Ret.), who serves as Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence and Director of the Naval Intelligence Activity, delivered a comprehensive intelligence assessment addressing current threat challenges facing US forces.
The summit featured broad participation from multiple defense agencies and organizations, including the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC), Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Air Combat Command.
Sessions covered specialized topics ranging from Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) operations to Test and Evaluation Threat Resource Activity (TETRA), Joint EMS Warfare Integration Center capabilities, and electromagnetic spectrum camouflage, concealment, and deception techniques.
State Recognition and Industry Support
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a proclamation designating the week that the summit took place as “Electronic Warfare/Cyber Warfare Convergence Week” throughout the state. The proclamation encourages South Carolinians to recognize the importance of continued collaboration between cyber and electronic warfare communities in advancing strategy, policy, and programs supporting national security and warfighter capabilities.
The summit received support from several industry sponsors, including Scientific Research Corporation (SRC), Norseman Defense Technologies, Empower RF Systems, and Sentar.
For more information on next year’s Cyber/EW Convergence summit, as well as other AOC events throughout the year, visit crows.org.
