Electronic Warfare Training 'Across the Spectrum'

EW Europe 2013: Advancing Electronic Warfare & Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations is the title of an upcoming forum scheduled for May 28-30 in Cologne, Germany, according to an invitation to the event that was emailed to this author.

An ‘opportunity not to be missed’

“Electronic Warfare Europe is an unrivalled forum discussing the latest in EW across land, maritime, air/space and EM environments including capabilities such as ISTAR and SIGINT,” the written notice by Old Crows Association, emailed by John Clifford ([email protected]) of EW Europe states.

In the unsolicited email with the EW Europe invitation notice, three points about electric warfare are made:

1) Future operations will be conducted in congested and contested environments across the spectrum of conflict in hot spots around the world – in cyberspace, counter-piracy, and against terrorism everywhere.

2) The changes necessary to move from counter insurgency (COIN) to contingency operations will be a challenge especially for EW [Electronic Warfare] and EMO [ElectroMagnetic Operations]

3) Successive defense spending cuts have also created new challenges, yet the need for accurate and timely information has never been greater and the requirement to counter potential adversaries’ systems through EW is growing.

The notice states, “EW Europe gives you the opportunity to… 

“With the widest ranging attendance of any EW gathering in the world and an exhibition showcasing the latest technology, tools and equipment all under one roof, this is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Check out the UPDATED AGENDA.

Old Crows Association says on its website:

“The Association of Old Crows (AOC) is a not-for-profit international professional association with over 13,500 members and 180+ organizations engaged in the science and practice of Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), and related disciplines.”

AOC has members in 47 countries with 69 chapters in 20 countries. AOC’s membership includes executives, scientists, engineers, managers, operators, educators, and military personnel. Founded in 1964, the AOC owns a headquarters building in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC.

The name “Old Crows” emerged from the first large-scale use of Electronic Warfare during the WWII Battle of Britain and the US and allied bombing raids over Europe. The Allied Radar Countermeasure operators used the code name “Ravens” and employed receivers and transmitters to monitor and jam threat frequencies. Military jargon later changed “Ravens” to “Crows.”

The website also boasts that its topics have included:

Information Operations; Modeling and Simulation; Directed Energy; ELINT; UAV/UCAV Payloads; Radar/EW; Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (JSEAD); Navigation Warfare; EO/IR; Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (ISR); Spacecraft and Satellite Protection and Time Sensitive Targeting; Homeland Security; Passive and Covert Radar; EW and IO fundamentals; and many more subjects of interest to EW/IO professionals.

Can You Attend?

Since this author and recipient of the invitation is living in the U.S. with other plans for May, perhaps the reader could attend this not-to-be-missed forum. If so, please comment below this article.

Photo: Courtesy of Old Crows Association