AOC Summit Tackles Converging Cyber and EW Challenges, Capabilities
As nearly every modern weapon system grows dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum and military IT infrastructure, the challenge of integrating cyberspace operations and electromagnetic warfare has become one of the most pressing – and complex – problems facing today’s warfighter. To confront it, the Association of Old Crows (AOC), in collaboration with the Palmetto Roost Chapter and Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, convened more than 200 military, government, industry, and academic leaders for the 2026 Cyber/EW Convergence Summit June 2-3 at the Cooper River Landing Center on the Naval Weapons Station – Joint Base Charleston. All sessions were conducted at the TOP SECRET//SCI level.
The Coastal Charleston Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Auxiliary) Color Guard opened the ceremony with their presentation of the flags, and NIWC Atlantic’s Commanding Officer, Captain Matthew R. O’Neal, welcomed attendees.
This year’s theme, Challenges and Benefits of Converging Cyberspace Operations and Electronic Warfare, focused on a range of topics that explored technical, organizational, and legal barriers that must be overcome to achieve true integration across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. Palmetto Roost Chapter President RDML Tim Kuehhas, USN (Ret.), served as master of ceremonies, facilitating sessions on combining EW capabilities with cyberwarfare and electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) tactics, with a focus on controlling the spectrum, securing data, and integrating real-time intelligence.
Day 1 keynote speaker MG Ryan Janovic, Commanding General, US Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, addressed training, doctrine, and organizations needed to keep pace with rapid technological advances on the modern battlefield. Day 2 keynote speaker RADM Steven Parode, USN (Ret.), currently serving as Deputy Director, Naval Intelligence, and Director, Naval Intelligence Activity, provided a comprehensive intelligence assessment on current threats.
Along with NIWC Atlantic, participating agencies included the National Security Agency (NSA), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), US Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, US Space Force National Space Intelligence Center, and the 169th Fighter Wing from the South Carolina Air National Guard. Topics explored included artificial intelligence and machine learning for detection and identification of low probability of intercept (LPI) RF signals in high-interference environments; delivering cyber effects through the EMS; Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) EW threats; and current operations in Iran.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed the week “Electronic Warfare/Cyberwarfare Convergence Week” throughout the state to “encourage all South Carolinians to recognize the importance of the continued collaboration between cyber and electronic warfare communities to advance strategy, policy, and programs in support of the Warfighter and National Security.”
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Scientific Research Corporation (SRC), Norseman Defense Technologies, BAE Systems, Sentar, and Research Innovations.
Article courtesy of AOC Palmetto State Chapter Vice President David Walman.
