Info
Theme: Non-Kinetics for Modern Warfare at the Speed of Relevance
Objective: The Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Capabilities & Gaps Summit seeks to unite professionals from the military, government, industry, and academia to address its 2026 theme of Non-Kinetics for Modern Warfare at the Speed of Relevance. Speakers and panels will explore topics such as emergent non-kinetic capabilities in an increasingly autonomous warfighting domain, recent doctrine, and integrating emerging technologies in joint warfighting to achieve an enduring EMSO advantage. This summit is designed to serve as a catalyst to mature, test, integrate, field, and support emergent non-kinetic capabilities for an increasingly modern warfare across the Joint Force.
EMS superiority depends on closing the gaps of current capabilities – be part of the solution.
Classification of Sessions: SECRET//NOFORN and TS/SCI//NOFORN
Location:
NWS Crane Lakeview Conference Center
300 Highway 361
Building 1909
Crane, IN 47522
Please direct any questions to [email protected].
Agenda
Session Dates & Times
July 28 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | SECRET//NOFORN
July 29 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | SECRET//NOFORN
July 30 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | TS/SCI//NOFORN
Sessions will be SECRET//NOFORN and TS/SCI//NOFORN.
Optional Networking Opportunities
Beer & Badge Welcome Reception (TBD)
Networking Event (TBD)
Receptions are for registered attendees only.
Registration
Registration now open!
*No refunds after July 20, 2026 at noon or for no-shows. Summit cancellations must be submitted in writing; telephone cancellations will not be accepted. Please email your cancellation request to [email protected]. Refunds will be issued minus a $75 administrative fee for all paid registrations.
We will not accept on-site registration.
Call for Papers
EW Capabilities & Gaps 2026: Non-Kinetics for Modern Warfare at the Speed of Relevance
The Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Capabilities & Gaps Summit seeks technical papers from United States government, academia, industry, operational units, and subject matter experts that center around this year's primary theme of Non-Kinetics for Modern Warfare at the Speed of Relevance.
The focus of this call for abstracts are emerging non-kinetic capabilities and the approaches required to rapidly prototype, analyze, test, integrate, and field those capabilities for operational employment. Submissions are encouraged that explore innovative technologies, operational concepts, doctrine, engineering practices, and collaborative partnerships that enable the joint force to more effectively generate and employ electromagnetic spectrum advantage.
All abstracts must be unclassified and MUST follow the abstract template.
Selected abstracts will be allotted time to present and discuss topics during the 2026 summit.
Areas of Interest include but are not limited to:
- Operational Doctrine and Force Employment – Exploration of emerging doctrine and operational initiatives (e.g., Navy Hedge Strategy, Navy Fighting Instructions, Fight-from-the-MOC) that enable agile, scalable, and integrated employment of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities across naval and joint forces.
- Non-Kinetic Solutions – Cyber solutions, non-kinetics in support of kinetic fires (EA, ES, and EP).
- Integration – Rapid capability insertion, technical assessment, collaborative & coordinated EMSO efforts.
- Digital Engineering – Application of digital tools to support across the life cycle to speed solutions to fleet, reduce risk, and provide complete solutions.
- Cognitive EW – Applying AI/ML solutions to warfighter gaps.
- Autonomy & Counter-Autonomy – Integrating non-kinetic solutions for attack/defense of UxS platforms.
- EMS Engineering and Analysis – Mission integration, mission engineering, digital engineering, MBSE, and EW analysis.
- State of the Art RF and EW Research Areas – AI/ML applications (across the lifecycle), photonics, photonic computing, quantum, plasmonics.
- EW/EMSO Warfighter Gaps – Identifying warfighter needs; C5ISIRT & C-C5ISRT in a congested environment.
- Open Software and Hardware Architectures – Championing commonality, interoperability, and efficiency; leveraging software defined capabilities.
- Distributed Lethality – Real-time engagement information across platforms and services; EMSO in support of disruptive technologies and deceptive activities.
- Government, Academia, and Industry Partnering – EMSO Commons/ME Commons (EMS Technology Hub for identification, transition, assessment, and deployment).
Classification of Sessions: SECRET//NOFORN
Important Dates:
Call for papers opens: April 7, 2026
Final day to submit abstracts: May 22, 2026
AOC notifies speakers of acceptance: Week of June 8th
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Lisa Reynolds, Events Program Manager at [email protected]
Speakers
Information Coming Soon!
Security
This summit is SECRET//NOFORN, with a 3rd Day Session held at the TS/SCI//NOFORN level.
If you are attending BOTH the Secret//NOFORN sessions on July 28-29 and the TS//SCI session on July 30, you MUST send a visit request to BOTH SMO codes provided below. Deadline to submit your visit request(s) is July 10, 2026.
- SECRET//NOFORN US ONLY Session July 28-29, 2026: Please submit SECRET//NOFORN US ONLY level clearance visit requests (VR) for 28-29 July 2026 to SMO 00164, security POC Jerrica Klinger (812) 854-3321, [email protected]. Please ensure you use this exact title for the purpose; "Crane 2026 AOC Conference."
- TS//SCI Session on July 30 2026: Please submit TS//SCI US ONLY Clearance VRs to SMO 001643 security POC Dean Hammack (812) 854-5788, [email protected]. Please ensure you use this exact title for the purpose: "Crane 2026 AOC."
*Personnel must have a valid sponsored clearance; eligibility ONLY is not acceptable. If you have any questions regarding security clearances, please do not hesitate to contact the security POC: Jerrica Klinger, (812) 854-3321, [email protected]. If your clearance has not been validated by NSWC Crane personnel by 2:30 PM on July 10, 2026 you will not be allowed access to attend. Please ensure that when you submit your VR only indicate the dates you will be on center at NSWC Crane. No one-year certifications, please.
All local Crane personnel will have their clearance information submitted for them by Jerrica Klinger.
Please be aware that note-taking will only be permitted during the SECRET//NOFORN SESSION July 28-29, 2026 at the unclassified level. The use of electronic equipment, including personally owned laptops, cellular/smart phones/watches, tablets, and other wireless email devices, as well as audio/visual recording devices are strictly prohibited.
Base Access
Due to limited parking at the conference facility, please ride the charter bus from Bloomington each day. All individuals MUST possess a valid government-issued CAC or active/reserve/retired military ID for entrance at the gate. If you have no CAC or military ID, you MUST complete SECNAV 5512/1 for base access. No exceptions will be made, and escorting is not allowed.
Fax the completed form to ATTN: AOC Cap Gaps Conference C/O Jerrica Klinger; FAX 812-854-2091 or email to [email protected]. This form can ONLY be accepted between June 30 and July 17, 2026 to comply with access requirements. Otherwise, you will NOT be authorized to get on base and attend the summit (no exceptions).
Hotel
Courtyard Bloomington
310 S. College Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47403
Group Rate: $139/night plus taxes and fees - free parking voucher for those with a room reservation.
Hotel Booking Deadline: July 1, 2026*
*Deadline date is based on availability
Transportation
NWS Crane has very limited parking. We encourage all attendees to ride the shuttle bus provided from the Bloomington hotel or the Sleep Inn Newberry hotel. More information will be provided to registered attendees.
Sponsors
This event does not constitute federal sponsorship, sanction, or endorsement of the non-federal entities (NFE) sponsors or the NFE activities.
NFE exhibits and sponsorships are available for educational purposes for attendees to learn about new technologies and developments.
If you are interested in sponsorship or exhibiting at EW Capabilities & Gaps, find out more or contact [email protected].
Gold Sponsor
