Page 14 - Armed Forces Directory - Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

“When we were fighting the counterinsurgency war, electronic warfare was not
as needed against that adversary,” Bertoli said. “However, it has gained a lot
of interest throughout the community over the past several years as we began
seeing some of our near peer adversaries using these capabilities.”

Michael Schwartz, CEMA co-chair and chief engineer for the Program Executive
Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors said this event helped shape
some of the changes in people’s thoughts about the value of electronic warfare
for the Army.

“The original organizers knew that an EW-focused group needed to come
together to talk about the issues of the day. If not us, then who, right? They
had to do something. That continues today where we bring together the Army,
senior leaders and industry to talk through the issues of today,” Schwartz said.

The CEMA Conference has grown over time from a “modest” beginning of 100
people to well over 600 attendees, who are electronic warfare professionals
from industry, academia, government agencies, and Army electronic warfare
Soldiers. Although most attendees are local, some have traveled as far as the
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

According to Bertoli, EW has gained more relevance within the operational
community itself. He explained that this is due to the war’s progression in Ukraine
and the Army’s near-peer adversaries.

“The Army is realizing that having a robust electronic warfare capability is essential
for our success,” Bertoli said.

APG is an ideal location because the installation is recognized as one of the
world’s most important research, development, testing, and evaluation facilities
for military weapons and equipment.

“CEMA focuses on cyber and electromagnetic technology and development, and
APG is a center point for it. The C5ISR Center of Excellence is housed at APG, so
we have science and technology, research, and development and acquisition all
housed here. It is a focal point for where this technology and these capabilities
are developed and acquired for the Army,” Bertoli said.

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