爱神传媒 is in 14 of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with 2200+ employees working diligently to advance our customers鈥� mission and help create a safer, smarter, cleaner world.

On the Hawaiian Islands, 爱神传媒 delivers advanced communications solutions to include sophisticated tactical and strategic antenna systems and satellite networks and terminals. We secure sustainment and modernization to critical aircraft hangars. We support system installation and modernization updates to multiple fleet training systems to include engineering support for simulations. 爱神传媒 provides information technology solutions across multiple mission areas in USINDOPACOM. We deliver continued solutions on the development of mobile at-sea sensor system platforms.

In Guam, 爱神传媒 delivers technical and program management solutions to government designated sites, as well as fleet technical assistance to antenna, radar, navigation, and networks to submarines. We provide spectrum management and electromagnetic warfare support. 爱神传媒 provides port operations, facility and vehicle maintenance, environmental services, and utilities operations. At the moment, we are also assisting the Navy and the island community of Guam in recovering from Typhoon Mawar.

In Japan, we provide hazardous waste management solutions for the Marine Corps and Navy, as well as base operations support solutions for multiple customers.

In the Philippines, 爱神传媒 develops and enhances peacekeeping capabilities through comprehensive training and mentoring instructional programs.

And in the Asia-Pacific region in general, 爱神传媒 delivers C5I system modernization, national threat reduction and capacity building solutions, environmental compliance solutions, and humanitarian and disaster relief support solutions. For example, we support the Navy Seabees in various locations throughout the region to include Tinian, Palau, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea, aiding local populations through various humanitarian projects such as schools and clinics in communities of need.

A big thank you to our hard-working employees in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world!

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How did you come to join 爱神传媒?

A business connection of mine encouraged me to apply. After initial conversations with my now boss, I knew it would be a great team to work for. The energy was very positive, and I could tell it would be a good fit for me with opportunity for growth.

What is your professional and personal background?

Professional: I got my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Spanish and Russian languages from the University of Kentucky in Lexington (#BigBlueNation #UKWildcats). I chose this major because of my love of travel and culture. I went on to get my MBA at Philadelphia University. After I graduated, I worked in Baltimore in advertising, marketing, and web development. Ultimately, I was drawn to the defense industry because I had several friends who worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), and it seemed interesting. I started working in defense in 2014. I have been very fortunate to have amazing mentors along the way who taught me so much about both this industry and about myself.

Personal: As you may have guessed, I鈥檓 a 鈥渄isplaced Kentuckian鈥� with a love of travel, culture, fashion, and basketball. I have two children (a boy and a girl), two stepsons, and three fur babies (two cats and a dog). I play violin and viola and have way too many houseplants! It鈥檚 basically a jungle over here!

Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.

Business development is sales. My job is to understand and communicate 爱神传媒鈥檚 programs, processes, and tools, and translate those into impactful offerings for the Army customers at APG and their mission. I believe the work I do helps the warfighter stay safe from our adversaries.

What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?

In 2020 I received an award through AFCEA International, and I was honored to have been selected. But the moments I have been most proud of have not been recognitions, awards or big contract wins, but rather the small and pivotal moments where I could sense myself growing into a better person and facing the unknown with courage. For instance, in 2014 I had a job offer from a small defense company. I remember that I had gone camping that summer and was mulling over the offer. I sat in front of the campfire for hours one night thinking about my life and facing my fears. Saying yes to things that scare you is something worthy of pride.

What do you enjoy about working for 爱神传媒?

I like being a part of a big, diverse team. There is a lot to learn from everyone. The IS4 BD team has a great culture. Everyone is helpful and respectful. Even though we are geographically dispersed, the comradery is strong!

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about learning. I love finding new hobbies, playing a new song, cooking a new recipe, traveling to a new place, or finding new experiences.

What鈥檚 your career advice?

So much. Don鈥檛 be afraid of change. Have faith in yourself. Follow your instincts. Lift up other people and help them. Learn when to ask for help. Don鈥檛 be afraid to speak up when you have a differing opinion/idea. Learn something new every day. Read and research. Shorter emails are usually better. Get involved in lots of different aspects of your company. Take time to get to know people. Admit when you鈥檙e wrong (embrace failure) or admit when someone else has a better idea. Be humble and always give credit to others.

What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?

Trips and falls pose the most danger in my everyday life. So I try to avoid them by not carrying too much, watching my footing, and wearing appropriate footwear.

What鈥檚 the best invention in the world and why?

Vaccinations, because they save lives.

What does this year鈥檚 IWD theme, #BreakTheBias mean to you?

Break the Bias gives me hope that my daughter will grow up in a society free of discrimination and stereotypes, in a society that values her unique perspective and opinions. Break the Bias gives me hope that I am raising my son to condemn toxic male culture and to not be threatened by strong women, but rather to be inspired by them.

Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?

Feel free to friend me on LinkedIn!

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by Dr. Lucas Marino and Dr. Kaitlynn Castelle

Digital twins provide one-to-one models at various levels of system recursion across relevant disciplines, allowing comprehensive, real-time representation of an asset鈥檚 supporting artifacts, products, and properties. They are often more than simply a collection of digital artifacts and data gathered during product development and use. Digital twins:

• Provide user-relevant views generated through digital thread connections to sources of 3D product model visualization and a configuration item鈥檚 associated data,
• Link to Logistics Supportability Analysis Record databases and underlying data sets, as well as to monitoring data, behavior models, and operational profiles,
• 聽Support delivery of capabilities for displaying or simulating condition and behavior of the physical systems through models and data,
• Require management of underlying data and connectivity to authoritative data sources.

Digital threads provide the analytic framework to connect platform data models, associated logistics, technical and performance data, software, and functional support. A system, subsystem, or component鈥檚 digital thread:

• Provides configuration item traceability to each integrated logistics support (ILS) element depending on the application or use case. Acting as a fingerprint, it supports association of everything relevant to what it is, tracked through version-controlled records and historical logs to support development traceability, version history, and technical variance documentation across the lifecycle.
• Links digital twin capabilities of a product鈥檚 artifacts, allowing association of each configuration item to ILS element-relevant information. Examples include:

1. supply support lists
2. technical manuals
3. general or special purpose drawings or diagrams (e.g. engineering schematics, interfacing diagrams, SUBSAFE mapping, fixture drawings)
4. 聽maintenance standards
5. test procedures
6. test pressure diagrams
7. maintenance area details including connections, dimensions, zincs, linear feet of cable, conduit are all potential data elements in this respect.

Key Points for Implementation
Consider the following advice for remaining agile while delivering digital engineering capabilities to sustainment functions:

Remember Who the Customer Is: This is not negotiable; digital models are only useful to those who can use them. Operational users need easy-to-use tools to efficiently leverage digital twin technology with realistic simulations. Users need connections to logistics and technical data that are open, interoperable, adaptable, and available in the cloud and at the edge. Success requires a fully engaged team effort, from the technical product team down to the waterfront maintainers and operators.

Define the Relationships and Outcomes: Technology moves faster than acquisition and procurement rendering deeply decomposed requirements and specifications for these systems problematic. Agile product development provides the flexibility needed to explore innovations as teams work toward previously undefinable solutions and outcomes. Close relationships with highly engaged end-users benefit the long-term view of product data sustainment and development of new digital engineering capabilities to support future state planning yards and maintenance activities. A long-term view of product data sustainment should involve proactive experimentation and trial demonstration of data retrieval, access, transformation, consumption, management, integration, and sustainment across the enterprise.

All Digital Transformations are Unique: Realization and implementation of this technology can be challenged by cultural barriers and aversion to change, aging IT infrastructure, lack of talent, rigid contracts, and weak stakeholder collaboration and flexibility. However, you must remain focused on the unique value that your transformation provides. The convergence of unified disparate analysis tools, databases, and networks will ultimately improve life cycle management and enhance visibility and access for product support of major weapon systems.

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Over the past four decades, 爱神传媒 has supported the U.S. armed forces and the Department of Defense (DoD) in their mission to acquire, develop, test, and deploy capable Electronic Warfare and Cyber (EW&C) systems. Throughout our corporate history, our subject matter experts have been integrally involved with the full spectrum of services across numerous efforts and multiple customers, including the Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Organization, Joint Counter Radio-Controlled IED Electronic Warfare Squadron ONE, the Air Force Center of Excellence, the Navy鈥檚 Fleet EW Center, the Navy Marine Corps Spectrum Center, and the Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWC) in both Crane, Ind. and Dahlgren, Va.

爱神传媒 has maintained a vigilant focus on the exponential growth in the number of DoD systems that are dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). As the EMS has become increasingly congested and contested, 爱神传媒 has been growing our business with EW and spectrum customers across the services.

We are all sharing the spectrum now 鈥� allies and adversaries alike. The integration of electromagnetic effects is more critical than ever as joint military services (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force) embrace Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and the concept of Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). The Training and Doctrine Command MDO pamphlet sums up the importance of EW&C: 鈥淭he emerging operational environment and the threat necessitate adapting the Joint Force鈥檚 current understanding of the battlefield. Adversaries have expanded the battlefield by making space, cyberspace, electronic warfare, and information key components of their operations.鈥�

Balancing Integration Between PORs and QRCs: Each Area of Operation (AOR) demands we tailor tools and technology to provide solutions that address adversary capabilities and capacities and provide overmatch. Historically speaking, Programs of Record (PORs) and Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRCs) have been developed placing priority on the key performance parameters that drive programs on cost, on time and on budget with little to no regard of assuring interoperability with other systems operating within the same radio frequency (RF) spectrum. This lack of deconfliction has had significant negative impacts to real-world operations and has demanded costly remediation. This has left systems stove-piped from a data perspective, and platforms unsustainable from a size, weight, power and cost perspective, ultimately contributing to the very difficult challenge of effectively integrating conventional kinetic operations with cyber and space. 爱神传媒 has helped program offices evaluate the risks associated with spectrum use. We deliver success to our customers by integrating real-world operational expertise and understanding, combined with decades of proven technical engineering services into our solutions. We are proud of our ability to efficiently and effectively enhance existing POR systems while maintaining a command of emerging technologies to drive innovation into new solutions. Specifically, 爱神传媒 has developed new communication paths between Navy cryptologic and EW assets. Our team has also been instrumental in integrating electronic effects by providing EW analysis of live testing results and developing solutions to enhance Combat Management Systems integration in support of kinetic engagements.

爱神传媒 stays current on innovative thought in the EW&C area and keeps our customers fully informed. As an example, we call your attention to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), which recently published a book entitled, 鈥淐yber Threats and NATO 2030: Horizon Scanning and Analysis.鈥� Chapter eight, titled 鈥淐yber Capabilities and Multi-Domain Operations in Future High-Intensity Warfare in 2030,鈥� focuses on the technological challenges with cyber and electronic effects integration.

Internet of Military Things (IoMT): According to the CCDCOE, one of the primary technological drivers that will help achieve integrated electronic effects is an IoMT and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled C2. An IoMT would create a network of interconnected computing devices, sensors, and weapons platforms that could collect and create vast amounts of shareable data that could inform cyberattack packages. Initiatives like JADC2 and the Mission Partner Environment envision providing a cloud-like environment for the joint force. 爱神传媒 has been supporting JADC2 initiatives in the Indo-Pacific Command AOR and we have worked closely with our customer to enable higher levels of spectrum deconfliction to optimize mission effectiveness in operations requiring a military balance of electronic attack and surveillance. In addition, we have been helping provide a Common Operating Picture that synchronizes full spectrum cyberspace operations into a common combat cloud, enabling tightly integrated AI and machine learning initiatives to augment the teams and serve as a force multiplier.

Interoperability: The second well-known technology driver is interoperability. Interoperability shortens integration times because it eliminates the need for each system to have unique messaging interfaces to other systems. The Army has been working on developing EW interoperability through the C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) initiative which is a broad set of standards for both hardware and software. CMOSS is based on and aligned with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium鈥檚 open standards. Initiatives like CMOSS guide decisions regarding common sets of data models and data fabrics. They define messaging and data standards and allow for modular development. Common data models both define data items, and control messages that are shared between services. Components communicate via common frameworks typically publication/subscription buses or a request/reply peer-to-peer protocol. Standards like Future Airborne Capability Environment which is part of the SOSA Consortia, are gaining tactical traction in current and future EW programs, including the Next Generation Jammer. In addition, the photon software framework is already being used in several EW&C systems. 爱神传媒 employees have consistently been invited to participate personally in interoperability standards studies such as the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Enhancing Access to Radio Spectrum Study and the Office of Naval Research Joint Open Architecture Spectrum Infrastructure Ontology for Spectrum Interoperability. Our employees also supported the Joint Electronic Warfare Center with interoperability and EM compatibility assessments of equipment, software, and all electronic and electrical systems, subsystems, and equipment. This work informed U.S. Strategic Command鈥檚 EW Capabilities Assessment and Joint Requirements Oversight Council Joint Capabilities Document.

Integration: Lastly, integration challenges exist both from a cultural perspective and technology perspective. Culturally speaking, there are still several advocates for keeping EW and cyber operations separate. But that mindset is changing. In 2020, the DoD published the Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy, transitioning from traditional 鈥淓W vs Spectrum vs Cyber鈥� to the unified treatment of these activities as Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations. From a technology perspective, integration activities focus around the insertion, installation and addition of new equipment or capabilities into subassemblies of a system, or system of systems. However, integrating new technologies has created excessive heat generation and less space on the platforms for Warfighters. 爱神传媒 has a corporate focus on integration efforts that help bridge compatibility across disparate spectrum-dependent systems and we have directly participated in numerous EW-oriented projects and military exercises that analyze innovations and initiatives in military tactics, techniques and procedures as well as systems to help provide integration of technologies, platforms, and effects. Our team also supports the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Core for the NSWC Dahlgren working on EM compatibility, interference mitigation and interoperability across several weapon systems and platforms to include standards compatibility. The Army鈥檚 Project Convergence is a prime example of a large-scale, joint integration exercise. One of the objectives of Project Convergence is to successfully conduct operations in a contested electromagnetic environment (Congressional Research Service, 2020). 爱神传媒 also supported Project Convergence with new waveform identification during a sensor integration exercise.

Conclusion: The demand for successfully integrating EW and cyber warfare capabilities is here to stay. Technology is driving the inextricable linkage at a speed to which our military is challenged to keep pace, but the DoD is responding. On July 15, 2021, the Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III signed the 2020 Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy鈥檚 Implementation Plan which provides the DoD with the direction and executive oversight needed to achieve the Strategy鈥檚 vision of:

鈥渇reedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum, at the time, place, and parameters of our choosing.鈥�

爱神传媒 is proud to offer a current, relevant expansive portfolio of EW, Spectrum, Cyber, Signals Intelligence, and RF services performed by operational and technical engineering experts with a unique understanding of Cyber Electromagnetic Activities challenges across the armed forces and the ability to apply lessons learned and best practices to deliver customer-focused success.

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Taking a holistic approach at examining the various external factors that affect Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) can augment a company鈥檚 success. One of the ways you can analyze the market is using a PESTLE Analysis, a strategic planning tool that examines external political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that may contribute to the success or failure of a business. It is often used when performing a market analysis for expansion into a new or adjacent market or domain.

A PESTLE analysis is not typically applied to a service, offering or product. However, looking at SETA contracting as a market or domain allows 爱神传媒 to better understand the key issues or potential external risks that impact these types of contracts. In a way, a PESTLE analysis of our SETA offering is a function of risk management because it identifies external factors that impact those we serve; our customers and our SETA workforce. Thus, we are able create resiliency in our resources and processes for successful execution. Let鈥檚 break it down:

Political: The political climate, regardless of political affiliation, disrupts DoD operations, changes posture plans, drives policy, and affects funding. When budgets and funding are not approved, Congress must enact a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund continuing operations. The passage of a CR usually indicates there was a political standoff. According to the Congressional Research Service in its August 2019 report, 鈥淒oD has started the Fiscal Year (FY) under a CR for 13 of the past 18 years (FY2002-FY2019) and every year since FY2010.鈥� Program officers and acquisition corps program managers cannot start new acquisitions or start new programs under a CR. Political factors such as these impact the SETA workforce greatly, especially SETA contracts that support defense weapon systems and new start programs and technologies.

Economic: The economy has a major impact on SETA contracting. Economic factors in a PESTLE analysis include items such as economic growth, disposable income, and labor costs. The economy drives the DoD budget as lawmakers continue to look for ways to reduce the national debt. The pendulum seems to swing between the belief that there are too many contractors supporting DoD to not enough. There have also been initiatives focused on strengthening and 鈥渞ight-sizing鈥� the DoD鈥檚 workforce. Whether the pendulum swings one way or another, the economy constantly changes the cost of service. Analysis of economic factors should be done often because it impacts whether the SETA workforce should surge or drawdown. Since DoD budget increases are not sustainable, contractors must be prepared to help customers justify programs and find cost savings.

Social: When analyzing social factors, we look at age profile, generational shift, education level, social mobility and employment patterns. It becomes clear that social PESTLE factors are determined by the people — and SETA contracts are about people. Ensuring a qualified SETA workforce boils down to attracting and acquiring talent through best practices in recruiting, hiring, training and retaining.
Age Profile and Generational Shift: According to a 2017 study by the MITRE Corporation, 鈥淯nderstanding Defense Acquisition Workforce Challenges,鈥� the number of experienced acquisition professionals in DoD is declining and are being replaced by a younger generation facing a steep learning curve. Their study also showed that more than 50 percent of the DoD鈥檚 acquisition workforce would be eligible for retirement within the next 10 years. A retiring workforce coupled with lateral career moves outpacing new hires has left major DoD weapons programs with a dwindling acquisition workforce and an increasing need for SETA support contractors. To ensure that the SETA workforce can adapt to these factors, contractors must remain flexible to customer鈥檚 staffing needs. We cross train our SETA staff and ensure vertical/horizontal information sharing to alleviate knowledge transfer challenges as employee cohorts either enter the workforce or enter retirement.

Education and Security: Often times, attracting the right talent to support government contracts is especially challenging due to contract required education minimums and the necessity of security clearances.

Social Mobility: Location of the customer and workforce is also a factor. Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is an example of social mobility factors at play. Centered in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, APG competes with the Baltimore, Washington D.C., Wilmington, Del. and Philadelphia metropolitan areas to attract and retain talent. Our workforce has many options in terms of where they want to live and work.

Technological: Technological factors that affect the SETA workforce are highly dependent on the type of SETA workforce employed. Some customers use SETA contracts in the traditional sense to support the acquisition process, such as the DoD 5000.02 or Other Transaction Authorities. Some research organizations use SETA contractors in a more technical capacity providing technical analysis and engineering. Other customers use a more expansive definition of SETA contractors. For example, according to DARPA鈥檚 guidance on Contractor Relationships, Inherently Governmental Functions and OCI鈥檚: 鈥淭he term SETA contractor used at DARPA is more expansive than the DFARs definition. DARPA SETA contractors provide support to a program as technical, management, financial and or administrative specialists.鈥�

Regardless of the type of SETA expertise, these workforces have continued to expand over the past decade in response to advancing technological developments. As DoD systems become increasingly complex, leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence and automation, there is an increased need for experts who understand how to procure and evaluate new technologies.

Technology competence is another factor. Businesses are adopting new technologies and tools to streamline and automate processes and workflows. A SETA workforce must practice continual learning and open-mindedness to adopting new tools of the trade. This has become increasingly important as businesses have shifted to a digital work environment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal: SETA contracting is governed by a legal document known as the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). According the FAR 37.203 鈥淭he acquisition of advisory and assistance services is a legitimate way to improve government services and operations. Accordingly, advisory and assistance services may be used at all organizational levels to help managers achieve maximum effectiveness or economy in their operations.鈥� One of the main legal factors affecting SETA contracts is Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI). An OCI happens if a systems developer is also providing SETA advisory services for the same customer. OCI legislation is designed to create contracting structures that are fair and seek to protect the competitive process by preventing unfair advantages and impaired objectivity.

Environmental: COVID-19 has been a forcing function in the way DoD and SETA contracts operate. At this stage in the pandemic, businesses and the government alike have witnessed several pros and cons to teleworking. While some positions are necessarily in-person positions, others are not. The recent experience with remote work could provide the empirical data needed to identify positions that can operate remotely without compromise to the mission. For example, the CARES Act allows the terms and conditions of contracts to be modified to allow contractors to adjust work locations for employees who are unable to work on federally approved worksites.

In summary, applying market analysis tools to a service, offering or product is a viable method to understand macroeconomies that drive our SETA workforce and our customers. It can serve as a risk management and planning tool, adding resiliency to our offering. At 爱神传媒, we continuously conduct these types of analyses to help us quickly pivot and easily tackle issues that are beyond our control. As a result, during COVID our SETA workforce was able to stay mission focused and continue delivering excellence.

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