Session 2.8a Expo Session: Adapting Communications for the Age of Electronic Warfare, Autonomy and Sovereign Capability
Tracks
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| Wednesday, November 18, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Royal Theatre |
Presentation Outline
Modern conflict is redefining the role of tactical communications at an unprecedented pace. Drawing on operational insights from supporting one of the world’s most technologically contested battlefields, this presentation explores how military communications must evolve to remain effective in an era characterised by relentless electronic warfare, rapid capability iteration, autonomous systems and increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
The presentation examines how development cycles have compressed from years to weeks, forcing industry to adopt software-driven innovation at battlefield speed while balancing the ethical challenges of sharing operational lessons. It highlights the resurgence of fundamental principles such as emissions control (EMCON), transmission security, low probability of detection and agile spectrum management, alongside the emergence of adaptive, self-managing radio networks capable of sensing, learning and responding without constant human intervention.
It also considers the growing demand for sovereign capability and localisation as nations seek greater control over their supply chains, manufacturing and critical technologies to improve resilience and operational independence. Finally, it explores how autonomous and uncrewed systems are reshaping the battlespace, requiring communications architectures that are intelligent, interoperable and capable of supporting increasingly machine-driven operations.
This presentation provides a practical perspective on the technologies, behaviours and strategic shifts that will define battlefield connectivity over the coming decade, and what militaries and industry must do today to remain operationally relevant tomorrow.
Speaker
Mr Andrew Dobson
VP Military Communications
DTC Codan
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Biography
Andrew is Vice President of Military Communications globally where he owns and manages DTC’s capability and product roadmaps.
He has an extensive background in product development and innovation; having worked at many CalTech companies at a senior level. His experience and expertise is broad; having proven himself at the highest level in both Defense and industry, having worked on some of UK’s most sensitive programmes.
He is one of a few that has a strong cross-pillar technology expertise in particularly in next generation communications for data and intelligence. This has been capitalised everywhere he has worked previously including as the CTO of a major UK ISTAR programme. He has been a commercial CTO on three occasions providing technical assurance, consultancy and thought leadership in whichever role or organization he has worked.
He has an extensive background in product development and innovation; having worked at many CalTech companies at a senior level. His experience and expertise is broad; having proven himself at the highest level in both Defense and industry, having worked on some of UK’s most sensitive programmes.
He is one of a few that has a strong cross-pillar technology expertise in particularly in next generation communications for data and intelligence. This has been capitalised everywhere he has worked previously including as the CTO of a major UK ISTAR programme. He has been a commercial CTO on three occasions providing technical assurance, consultancy and thought leadership in whichever role or organization he has worked.
