From the Crows' Nest

In discussions of electromagnetic warfare, experts and enthusiasts often discuss the lethal and destructive capabilities of the technology. But effective disruption is a key element to mission success, and today’s guest is at the forefront of conversations on agility and cost effectiveness in the EW space.

But first, host Ken Miller welcomes John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED)...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Kevin Finch, AOC Board of Director and chair of this year’s symposium. Ken and Kevin tie together the major themes shared during this week’s presentations. Later, Ken is joined by the awardees of this year’s AOC Future Five. Each year, the AOC Foundation recognizes five young professionals as the Future 5, showcasing those who actively innovate and striv...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Day 2 Keynote Speaker Congressman Don Bacon. Congressman Bacon is Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, IT and Innovation, US House of Representatives. Prior to his time in Congress, Congressman Bacon served 29 years in the US Air Force before retiring as a Brigidier General. They cover a range of topics including the congressional def...

In this episode of From the Crows' Nest, Ken Miller is joined by opening keynote Speaker Laurie Buckhout. Laurie is the former Assistant National Cyber Director for Policy at the White House. Together, they discuss the challenge of strengthening leadership for EMSO across the Department of War and the military service.

Later, Ken is joined by John Knowles, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JE...

Since the founding of America’s first centralized modern intelligence agency during World War II, today’s guest Anthony Vinci says that current agencies have undergone several revolutions in how espionage was done. But Vinci says we’re in the midst of a fourth revolution, changing the rules of espionage for nations and non-state actors alike.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Vinci, a...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Ken Miller is joined by Mike Alperi, Deputy Program Manager of PMS 408 Expeditionary Missions Program Office at the Naval Sea Systems Command, to talk about his involvement in NATO Subgroup One and its cross-country collaborative Thor’s Hammer exercise — an initiative that allows systems from different nations to be tested side-by-side against cutting edge UAS and IED threats.

Al...

As the holidays approach, From the Crows’ Nest host Ken Miller takes a step back from regularly scheduled programming and is joined once again by producer Laura Krebs to answer more listener questions.

The pair unpack the recent government shutdown and how it affected America’s defense sector, as well as how EMSO dominance factors into potential conflicts with Iran and China. Ken also explains how Secretary of War Pete ...

Between the Russo-Ukrainian War and the looming threat of China invading Taiwan, the landscape of global conflict has changed… and today’s guest says the strategies for U.S. dominance have to change along with it. 

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller joins retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula, current Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Power Studies to examine what Ameri...

Host Ken Miller welcomes Scott "Sherm" Oliver, AOC Board Member and expert on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), for a conversation during a busy week of meetings on the Hill. Together, they discuss AOC’s ongoing advocacy for the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, share impressions from their meetings with lawmakers, and reflect on the growing recognition of EMSO’s importance.

They discuss the need for...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with retired US Army Col. Kevin Finch, who now serves as a member of the Association of Old Crows Board of Directors. Col. Finch is the Symposium Committee Chair for the upcoming AOC 2025 in December. Together, they discuss navigating the future of electromagnetic spectrum operation (EMSO) and the evolving landscape of electromagnetic warfare (EW) amidst po...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sits down with the heads of two startups in the military space to get a glimpse at the cutting edge of military, warfare and EMSO operations.

Ethan Thornton of Mach Industries and Rob Sladen of Zulu Pods are both young innovators in the military space, with Mach Industries focusing on pioneering unmanned systems and Zulu Pods aiming to improve fluid delivery syste...

Join us today to hear Host Ken Miller's conversation with John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance, about how U.S. and allied forces are adapting for the next era of electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO).

They discuss takeaways from recent trade shows, how the Army and Air Force are rethinking their force structure, and what new reports say about preparing for future conflicts. John sha...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller unpacks one of the key challenges with using  artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in combat: How can human agents trust AI in a live, complex military operation?

Jeff Druce, Senior Scientist, Human-Centered AI at  Charles River Analytics, is at the heart of trying to answer this question. Jeff says that neural networks are inherently opaque; a sys...

In mid-September, in Lviv, Ukraine, the second annual Defense Tech Summit was held with representatives from over 50 countries in attendance. A policy shift from the Trump administration in support of Ukraine signals new focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine War that is now approaching four years. The two-year war continues between Israel and Hamas in Gaza without progress toward a ceasefire. Oh, and now, the US government is...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller looks at innovation in EMSO and how ideas get from whiteboard to the battlefield through a new lens: science fiction. 

Lisa Yaszek, Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech, tells host Ken Miller that scientists are indebted to science fiction writers, as the genre gives people interested in science and technology a way to theorize about promis...

In this episode, host Ken Miller is joined by friend and colleague Tom Withington, award-winning editor, defense journalist, and expert with Armada International. Ken and Tom discuss the latest developments in the Russo-Ukrainian War with a special focus on the recent Russian drone incursion into Poland and what it means for all of NATO. They also discuss how the Russo-Ukrainian War, along with other global security challe...

After decades of being the purview of world governments, space operations have exploded in commercial and civilian necessity in recent years. Commercial satellites have increased 7 fold over the last 15 years and now total more than 10,000. Space capabilities are central to nearly every operational concept and military mission, not to mention every modern economy. Furthermore, space operations and electromagnetic spectrum ...

Innovation is a buzzword to showcase game-changing technologies and capabilities. But how do you get the people’s attention to consider the possibilities, risks, and opportunities? How do you raise awareness to move innovative ideas from the mind to the lab and to the field, not to mention the average household? So much innovation is downstream from culture. In a special episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller bre...

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by returning guest Duncan McCrory from the Freeman Air & Space Institute at King’s College London to unpack concerns of a Chinese escalation in the Pacific to reunification with Taiwan — and what this move could mean for the United States and alliances around the world.

McCrory says that defense experts have focused on 2027, known as the “Davidson Wi...