Textron Systems
JED Show Daily
From the Editor

What a great start we had to AOC 2021! Did you know there are folks here from more than 25 different countries? In the morning, we listened to the Honorable Heidi Shyu in our first keynote address. Then throughout the day, we networked and met people face to face, some of us for the first time in nearly two years.

All of that sets us up to make today even better, and we’ve got quite the schedule to carry that momentum forward.

Our keynote this morning will be delivered by Dr. Kelly Fletcher, who is a career member of the Senior Executive Service and Performing the Duties of the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense.
After Dr. Fletcher’s address, we’ve got breakout sessions and our Symposium Spotlight Session. And, of course, in between our exhibit hall will be open. Please feel free to stop by the Crows’ Nest to chat with AOC staff.

And what better way to end the day with a Happy Hour right in the hall? We hope you’re enjoying your time here so far. Thank you for helping us to make this event so special!

Rohde & Schwarz USA. Inc.
CRFS
Symposium Happenings

Today's Symposium Agenda includes the full schedule of education and special events.

Check it out now to plan your day.

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Today's Events

• This morning's Keynote Session is with Dr. Kelly Fletcher, Performing the Duties of Chief Information Officer, Department of Defense.

• We've got another exciting day in the exhibit hall planned. Stop by the Crows' Nest at 2 PM to learn about our mentorship program. And don't forget to enjoy lunch in the hall.

• AOC MEMBERS! Join us at 11:30 AM for the Assembly of Delegates featuring Outstanding Military Unit and AOC Chapter Commendation.

Breakout Sessions continue today, so make sure you have those on your schedule.

• Our afternoon Symposium Spotlight Session is a conversation with Ms. Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors.

• And be sure to end another day with a Happy Hour in the hall.

 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE – Wednesday, December 1

7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

On-site Registration Open

Pick up your badge in the West Salon of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

7:45 - 8:45 AM

Symposium Morning Coffee

8:30 - 9:45 AM

Keynote Session 

9:45 AM - 6:00 PM

Exhibit Hall & Crows' Nest Open

Join us in our expansive exhibit hall. Be sure to stop by the "Crows' Nest" to relax, recharge and refuel.

10:00 - 10:45 AM

Program Manager Briefing Series

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Symposium Breakout Sessions

11:00 - 11:45 AM

Program Manager Briefing Series

11:30 AM — 12:30 PM

AOC Assembly of Delegates featuring Outstanding Military Unit and AOC Chapter Commendation

All AOC Members welcome! Get caught up on the business of the association.

11:30 AM — 1:00 PM Lunch
12:00 - 12:45 PM

Program Manager Briefing Series

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Symposium Breakout Sessions

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Program Manager Briefing Series

2:00 PM

Crows' Nest Meet & Greet: Mentorship Program

2:15-3:00 PM

Program Manager Briefing Series

3:00 - 4:00 PM

 Symposium Spotlight Session

4:30-6:00 PM Happy Hour in the Hall
   

 

Inside the Convention

From the Crows' Nest Podcast episodes with interviews and recaps will be released throughout AOC 2021, the Association of Old Crows International Symposium & Convention. Start Listening now!

Morning Brew with Retired Col. Jim "Hook" Pryor and Rodger Hosking

A Conversation with Colonel William "Dollar" E. Young

Symposium Spotlight Session - Strategic Opportunities and Emerging Technologies

Show Daily with Dr. Bill Conley, Mercury Systems

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AOC Updates

AOC is challenging everyone to donate to the AOC Educational Foundation (AEF) this week, we are hoping to reach a goal of $5,000 by the end of convention!

To donate: Text DONATE2AEF to (202) 858-1233, scan the code to the right or visit the Membership Desk in the Crows’ Nest.

AOC’s Mentorship Program Is Seeking Mentors

The AOC Crow Career Builder was created to connect our network of professionals with the next generation of crows. Through step-by-step communications, our mentors and mentees are given a template for creating a valuable working relationship. Mentees will also have the opportunity to network and socialize among people just like yourselves and make essential connections.

FOR MENTORS: Mentoring consists of a long-term relationship focused on supporting the growth and development of the mentee. A great mentor is able to lead their mentee with empathy, sensitivity and patience, while constantly adapting to changing times and complex circumstances.

To become a mentor with AOC, visit crows.org/mentorship or stop by the Crows’ Nest this week to find out more.

JED News

Dr. Dipak Roy is the founder and CEO of D-TA Systems Inc. After selling his previous company, Interactive Circuits and Systems Ltd., to Radstone Embedded Computing (now Abaco) in 2003, Dr. Roy started D-TA Systems in 2007 with the aim of creating an defense electronics solutions provider that could compete widely across the EW, SIGINT, radar and simulation markets. In recent years, his company has won contracts to provide HF radars for Canada's Over-the-Horizon Radar project, EW simulators for the US Army and, more recently, an EW payload demonstrator for the US Navy. In this discussion, Dr. Roy talks with JED about a variety of topics from the perspective of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)

JED: D-TA is been very successful at developing a core technology and from this developing a variety of competitive solutions for different markets. How have you been able to do this?

Roy: From the very inception, D-TA’s mandate has been to provide full solutions for the EW sensor systems market. Some of these include COMINT, ELINT, EW emulation, HF processing, etc. Towards that goal, we have successfully built a team that is dedicated to providing the best capability for developing complete solutions. Our vertically integrated technology company now has expertise in RF, IF and mixed signals, FPGA, Multi-core software, and EW applications.

It was very critical for D-TA to have full control of the technology stack as stated above. Our solid core technology benefits customers by providing the highest level of performance, and at the lowest cost. We excel at both spectrum sensing, and spectrum creation.

JED: D-TA is a small- and mid-sized enterprise (SME) that is often competing with much larger EW and SIGINT systems houses. What are your strengths and weaknesses in this market?

Roy: Our Strengths: After 14 years of business, and close to nine figures of R&D investment, we are well on our way to capturing new market share. As a complete systems provider, virtually all the time as a SME, we compete with much larger companies (Tier 1 and 2s). The key formula for success is our compelling value proposition that customers always desire. So far we have been very successful in providing the best performance, at the lowest cost, and the highest level of service and support. We see our end customers (Air Force, Navy, Army and Special Forces) rather deal with a nimble/flexible SME than working with a larger organization. In addition, we maintain and support collaborations with academia to train the next generation.

Weakness: Unlike the big prime contractors, we lack the historical track record. However we focus on our strengths where we provide major sub systems that can be easily integrated into large combat management systems. Our small size requires a lot of focus, and we rely on many global partners to address complex customer requirements.

JED: In what ways do you think the defense electronics market is changing in favor of SMEs? 

Roy: It is changing particularly in the EW area, where your brain/intellectual capital is more important than financial capital. This provides a significant capability for SMEs with relatively less investment to provide sate of the art solutions for the end user.

SMEs also have a number of advantages when accessing Government funding programs and/or Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs). Case in point, D-TA had a major win to provide a next-generation EMSO solution for the US Navy via S2SMARTS/NSTXL.

JED: The DOD is embracing new MOSA standards, such as SOSA. What does this mean for SME's, such as D-TA?

Roy: We fundamentally believe that the government should not impose standards, as it inhibits innovation. Many Government bodies are moving towards "one size fits all" – VPX boards, for example – which in theory sound good, but have severe impacts on integration and program costs.

D-TA has developed a ground breaking solution of up-mast EW. With a focus on miniaturization and extreme SWaP, we now include the entire EW sensing/transmitting, as well as the processing inside the antenna that is up mast. Essentially your antenna is your entire EW! This makes the VPX approach redundant.

JED: What are your goals for D-TA Systems over the next few years?

Roy: We are the only SME in the entire world with full systems capability moving towards extreme SWaP, antenna-integrated EMSO systems. Our focus is to develop the next generation technology, capture market share in EW Emulation, ELINT/ESM, HF processing and RF/IF record/playback systems. Over the next five years, we are going after capturing the EW market share in a big way. This is demonstrated by our growing US office presence, and recent wins.

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