Home
Airborne ISR

 

SAE Media Group is proud to present the 10th annual Airborne ISR conference to be held in London on the 22nd and 23rd October 2025.

Airborne ISR continues to be an incredibly important capability for militaries. Effective ISR enables kinetic assets the resources they need to be effective on the battlefield. Perhaps more than this, ISR is an extremely capable deterrent in its own right and modern dissemination technology and techniques enables forces to deal with threats before they can cause harm.

Discuss in detail Maritime Patrol, Data Dissemination, UAV Technology, International Surveillance Cooperation, AWACS, 5th Generation ISR, Industrial Engagement, and Threat Evolution alongside leading experts and programme managers in the field.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Mr. Andrew Evans

Mr. Andrew Evans

Director, Strategy & Transformation (DAMI-ST), US Army

Brigadier General Virgil Nicu Florescu

Commander 18th ISR Brigade, Romanian Army
Brigadier General Virgil Nicu Florescu

Brigadier general Virgil-Nicu Florescu assumed his duties as the 18th ISR Brigade commander on 8th June 2022.
Some of his joint assignments include, most notably: (1) deputy chief of staff for operations and training of Romanian Special Operations Forces Command/ ROU SOFCOM (April 2020- June 2022), and (2) J5 Plans director of ROU SOFCOM (October 2018- April 2020), both assumed by colonel Florescu in a period during the Romanian Special Forces undergoing transformation and re-organization process. Between May 2016 and October 2018, brigadier general Florescu was assigned as the 52nd Special Operations Forces Battalion commander.
During his career, he performed tours of duties in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa under coalition, NATO, and European Union mandates as a deputy company commander, battalion S2, and operations officer at the operational level.
BG Florescu earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Management from the Military Institute for Artillery and Topography in Sibiu/ Romania, a Master of Military Science and Information Degree from the National Defense University, Bucharest/Romania, as well as a Master of International Relations and Securities Studies from Lucian Blaga University in Sibiu/ Romania. His military education includes a Ph.D. in National Security from the National Defense University, Bucharest/ Romania.
In 2022, BG Florescu graduated from the National War College/ National Defense University, Washington, DC, adding a master of science in National Security Strategy to his educational background.
BG Florescu is divorced and has two children, Daria (22) and Sara (7).
 

Colonel Hans Martin Steiro

Commander 133 Air Wing, RNoAF P-8A Poseidon, Royal Norwegian Air Force
Colonel Hans Martin Steiro

 Colonel Hans Martin Steiro joined the RNoAF in 1994 and earned his golden wings with the US Navy in 1997. After completion of his pilot training he was posted to the P-3C Orion in Northern-Norway. After 2.500 FHR, mostly in the Barents Sea, he moved to Southern Norway and was posted to the C-130J. After eight years of service at the squadron, and a lot of traveling around the world, he completed his last two years as a squadron commander. After this he entered a job in the Defence Staff where his main tasks was operations abroad. After completing two years in the Defence Staff he was promoted to Colonel and took command of RNoAFs Safety Office. In 2023 he returned to Northern Norway and the Maritime Patrol Aircraft community, and took command of 133 Air Wing, including Evenes and Andoeya Air Base. Today he commands the only P-8A Poseidon base in Norway.

Colonel Raffaele Cavaliere

Commandant, Air Force Geospatial Information Centre, Italian Air Force
Colonel Raffaele Cavaliere

Col. Raffaele Cavaliere is the Commander of the Air Force Geospatial Information Center (CIGA), Pratica di Mare AFB, Rome (Italy). CIGA is the national Air Mapping Agency, it is responsible for the design of airspace and procedures, and for the dissemination of military aeronautical information. It is the main ItAF ISR PED Unit. Col. Cavaliere graduated from the Air Force Academy and the Joint Services Staff College. He holds a master’s degree in political science and a bachelor in aeronautical science. He has been serving as ISR officer at tactical, operational and strategic level, in service, joint and combined assignments.

Colonel Steven Curtis

Commanding Officer, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade , US Army Europe
Colonel Steven Curtis

Colonel Steven J. Curtis is the Commander of the US Army 66th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) based in Wiesbaden, Germany, conducting multi-discipline intelligence operations across Europe supporting NATO and the US Army.

Colonel Curtis has served at the tactical, operational, and strategic level. He commanded at multiple echelons and served as the senior intelligence officer for conventional and special operations forces. He also served as a legislative assistant in the US Senate and worked on the DoD Joint Staff. He has three combat deployments and has served overseas in Europe and Asia.
 

Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon

Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF
Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon

As an active service Royal Air Force officer, Group Captain Jim Beldon acquired over 3,000 flying hours on the E-3D Sentry, serving on operations in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and across the globe. He commanded 8 Squadron (AWACS) from 2012 to 2014 before serving in Defence Communications at the Ministry of Defence and as the RAF’s Director of Defence Studies. In 2020, he served in Baghdad as NATO Mission Iraq’s Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence. He served as the Deputy Commander of the RAF’s ISTAR Force between 2021 and 2023 before leaving regular service and assuming a part-time Reservist role as a Group Captain in the UK’s Strategic Command. In civilian life, Jim serves as the senior Airborne ISR Consultant to Leidos Innovations UK.

Group Captain Judith Graham

Head of Operations and Analysis, National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence, Defence Intelligence
Group Captain Judith Graham

Group Captain Judith Graham, Defence Intelligence

After joining the RAF in 1998, Graham worked in intelligence support to operations completing operational tours around the globe. She has also led tactical imagery exploitation units and played a leading role in developing Counter-UAS capabilities and tactics. She has experience of NATO gained at SHAPE and was the manager for the RAF’s MQ-9 programmes. After graduating from Advanced Command and Staff Course, she worked for VCDS in the Secretariat in MoD where she gained a privileged insight into the highest levels of Defence.
As a Group Captain, Graham previously had responsibility for intelligence support to global operations, and Counterintelligence & Security at PJHQ. She is now Head of Geospatial Operations and Analysis within Defence Intelligence.
 

Group Captain Rich Berry

ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF
Group Captain Rich Berry

Group Captain Rich Berry joined the RAF in 1994 and on completion of flying training he was posted to the Nimrod MR2 at RAF Kinloss, serving on 206 Squadron. During his first tour, he flew operational missions around the world in maritime and overland roles. Following a tour as a qualified flying instructor on the Tucano T1 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, he returned to the Nimrod MR2 at RAF Kinloss as a flight commander on 120 (‘CXX’) Squadron. He then served at Air Command in operational planning for Ops TELIC and HERRICK before attending the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy. Berry took command of 45(Reserve) Squadron at RAF College Cranwell in 2011, responsible for all aircrew training for the RAF’s fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Transport, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft. After a tour in MOD Operations Directorate on the UK Operations Team, he served as the Programme Manager for the introduction to Service of the RAF's new Poseidon MRA Mk1 maritime patrol aircraft, before promotion to group captain in January 2020 when he continued in Air Capability as the Programme Director for both Poseidon and Wedgetail AEW Mk1 airborne early warning & control aircraft programmes.
In March 2023, Berry was appointed as the Deputy Force Commander for the RAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force, based at RAF Waddington.
 

Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Price

SO1 RPAS, Land ISTAR Programme, British Army
Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Price

 Lt Col Hayden Price is the British Army’s Programme Manager for UAS projects within the Land ISTAR Programme. He is responsible for projects delivering ISTAR capability -through uncrewed air systems - in support of the Army’s Corps, Divisional and Brigade Deep battles. Lt Col Price also provides wider programme support to wider uncrewed and autonomous capabilities. He spent the early part of his career serving with armoured Land forces in Germany and elsewhere on operations, subsequently supporting across the British Army’s aviation portfolio as an Aircraft Engineering Officer. Lt Col Price now specialises in Capability and Acquisition.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick LeBlanc

RCAF, Combat Plans Chief within their Joint Forces Air Component JFAC within 11 Group, Royal Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick LeBlanc

 Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, LCol Patrick LeBlanc joined the Canadian Armed Fforces in 2001. Upon completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, he undertook pilot training. After achieving his pilot wings in 2008, LCol LeBlanc was posted to 407 LRP Squadron in Comox B.C. While at 407 Squadron, LCol LeBlanc held numerous positions including: Lead Pilot, Unit Flight Safety Officer, Pilot Standards and Training Officer and Instrument Check Pilot. During this tour, he deployed to numerous locations throughout the world to conduct operations and exercises. While at 407 Sqn, LCol LeBlanc was also deployed on Roto 0 of OP MOBILE to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions with the CP-140 Aurora over Libya.

In 2013, LCol LeBlanc was posted to 404 LRP & T Squadron where he instructed newly winged pilots on the Aurora. After two years in this role, LCol LeBlanc was promoted to Major and became the Flight Deck Flight Commander at 404 Squadron overseeing training for all Aurora pilots and flight engineers. This timeframe also saw the introduction of the Block III Aurora aircraft and LCol LeBlanc took part in development and introduction of the initial training for aircrew on the upgraded aircraft. During his time as a Flight Commander, LCol LeBlanc deployed for six months to Kuwait, as the LRP Detachment Operations Officer for Roto 4 of OP IMPACT. During this deployment he flew operational missions in support of coalition forces while managing the daily detachment tasks.

In 2017, LCol LeBlanc was posted to 405 LRP Squadron, as the Deputy Commanding Officer. During his short tenure at 405 Sqn, he deployed as the Air Task Force Commander for an anti-drug operation out of El Salvador.

In 2018, LCol LeBlanc attended the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, Ontario. He received a Master’s degree in Defense Studies upon completion of the Joint Command and Staff Program (JCSP). LCol LeBlanc was subsequently posted to NDHQ where he served as Chief of Staff for the Director General of Military Careers.

Promoted to his current rank, LCol LeBlanc was posted to 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, where he took command of 415 LRP & FD Squadron. He and his team worked to bring the Block IV CP-140 online across the LRP community.

IN 2022, LCol LeBlanc was posted to RAF High Wycombe as the Combat Plans Chief within their Joint Forces Air Component (JFAC) within 11 Group. He continues to fulfil this role, planning operations and training events for UK combat air.

Mario Fassero Gamba

Vice President Airborne Mission System Programs, Leonardo
Mario Fassero Gamba

Mario Fassero Gamba is Vice President of Airborne Mission Systems Programs at Leonardo, where he drives business strategy, financial performance, and program execution across a portfolio of complex, high-value initiatives. He oversees geographically distributed Integrated Project Teams, delivering advanced ISR, ASW/ASuW, and strategic mission capabilities to national, international, and allied customers worldwide.
With over 25 years at Leonardo, Mario has played a pivotal role in systems engineering for ISR and safety-critical solutions, managing a team of 150 engineers. As Project Engineering Manager, he provided technical leadership and oversight for major national and international programs focused on the design, development, and delivery of Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A).
Key programs under his responsibility currently inlcude NATO AGS, EUROMALE MMS, P72-A MMS, P72-B MMS, and AW139/169 MMS.
 

Michael Tombs

Business Development Lead, Europe, Satcom Direct - Government
Michael Tombs

Mr. Andrew Evans

Director, Strategy & Transformation (DAMI-ST), US Army
Mr. Andrew Evans

Mr. Andrew Evans entered the Senior Executive Service in August 2023 as the Director of the Army ISR Task Force under the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2. He oversees an organization missioned to manage modernization efforts across the Army's Intelligence and Security Enterprise. Mr. Evans also leads Global Force Management activities for the Army’s Aerial ISR portfolio, including oversight of a $1.4 Billion MDEP supporting manned and unmanned assets across the Total Force. Mr. Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Furman University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Phoenix University, and a certificate in Advanced Management from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Crescenzo Esposito

UAS Branch Chief / MQ-9 Project Executive Officer, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
Mr. Crescenzo Esposito

Crescenzo Esposito is the Uncrewed Aerial Systems Branch Chief
and MQ-9 Project Executive Officer at the NATO Support and
Procurement Agency (NSPA).
A retired Colonel of the Italian Air Force, he brings over 15 years of
experience in UAS lifecycle management, airworthiness
certification, and multinational program leadership. His notable
contributions include roles in the F-35 Joint Program Office and the
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programme.
Crescenzo holds an Executive MBA, a Masters in Electronic
Engineering, and is a certified Experimental Flight Test Engineer,
graduated from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School (05B).
He is fluent in Italian and English.

Mr. David Nethercott

Air Principal Advisor - Sense and Understand Programme, DSTL
Mr. David Nethercott

David Nethercott is a Principal Advisor for Sensing in the Air Domain, for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. In this role, David is responsible for advising on technology research related to Sensing and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) to meet air domain requirements. This role sits within Dstl’s current SAU (Sense And Understand) Programme.
David started working for the Ministry of Defence in anti submarine warfare, designing algorithms for SONAR. Moving through non acoustic detection, electronic warfare and line management, David has also worked in Dstl’s Futures Programme, uncovering the science that could form generation after next Defence Capabilities.
 

Pete Saunders

Director General NORAD Continental Defence Modernization, RCAF
Pete Saunders

 
Mr. Saunders joined the Canadian Forces on 23 March 1990. His diverse career includes operational flying and instructing on Sea King helicopters, with postings at 443 and 423 Squadrons, and command of 406 (M) OTS. He served aboard several HMCS ships and deployed to the Middle East.

His staff roles include career management and strategic planning in the Chief of Programme office. Currently, he oversees RCAF contracted training and leads NORAD modernization efforts.

He holds degrees in science, business, and defence studies, and is a graduate of both the Canadian Forces College and NATO Defence College senior leadership programs.

Randy A. Bithell

Director, Information Dominance Analysis, Aeronautics Systems, Northrop Grumman
Randy A. Bithell

Mr. Bithell is the Operations Analysis Director for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems San Diego facility supporting the Global Surveillance Division. In this role, Mr. Bithell leads the research and analysis for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and Military Aircraft Systems (MAS), both domestically in the USA and internationally. Through modeling and simulation, Mr. Bithell leads a team that provides defendable and accurate physics-based analysis using accredited models and tools.

Mr. Bithell has worked with Northrop Grumman for 25 years. Mr. Bithell holds two degrees in mathematics, the first in applied mathematics and the second in stochastic processes.
 
Mr. Bithell taught mathematics at multiple universities prior to joining Northrop Grumman in 1999. While at Northrop Grumman Mr. Bithell has earned additional certificates in radar development, system engineering and functional management.

Robert Koolen

Sales Director Special Mission Aircraft,  Fokker Services Group
Robert Koolen

Robert Koolen is the Sales Director for Special Mission Aircraft programs. Such programs can exist of modifications or upgrades of operational aircraft but can also be full (green) aircraft conversions or completions.

Robert began his career at Fokker in 1992, when Fokker Aircraft BV was still producing aircraft at their Schiphol, Netherlands based manufacturing plant. Over the past 33 years he was always employed at the facility based in Woensdrecht, the Netherlands where he started at the Engineering departments as Construction Engineer creating electrical schemes.

After 8 years he continued his career at the Marketing and Sales department to take care of Customers, initially in the Latin American region, but as the years developed, worldwide.
 
After a couple of years, Robert became purely focused on supporting Customers globally for aircraft maintenance and modification projects. As from 2019 the role transformed into primarily sales activities for VIP aircraft conversions and as from 2021 he is dedicated to sales and business development in the Special Mission Aircraft market.

As an independent service provider and system integrator Fokker Services Group has contacts with all main aircraft manufacturers and mission system suppliers. From a Business Development perspective Robert is chasing and arranging partnerships and innovative solutions. Recent program executed was the full completion of a Gulfstream G550 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Fokker is also partner to Embraer for the NATO modifcations and certification on C-390 Millenium Military transport aircraft.

Benefits of attending:

  • Hear the latest developments from leading international programmes from maritime and land domains
  • Discuss how nations are adopting and adapting technology to gain greater intelligence resolution
  • Explore how nations are engaging with on-another to disseminate and analyse information
  • Attend a conference where you can meet and network with leading programme managers
  • Understand how nations are adopting systems and technologies to secure information and decision dominance
     

Why you can’t afford to miss Airborne ISR 2025:

  • Gain access to key subject-leaders from the UK, US, and Europe for interactive discussions focused on your challenges
  • Build a greater understanding of how the landscape has changed in the last year and the implications this has for you
  • Take away vital information into new advancements and emerging trends, that you won’t get anywhere else

sponsors

 

At Airborne ISR, join a unique event and discover what other nations are prioritising. Be a part of an exclusive group of speakers and attendees made up of leading programme managers and experts.

Conference agenda

clock

8:00

Registration & Coffee

clock

8:50

Chair's Opening Remarks

Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

clock

9:00

UK Deployments of ISTAR assets in 2026 and onwards

Group Captain Rich Berry, ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

  • Current work of the RAF ISTAR Force
  • Capability and force developments to meet the future AEW, ASW, and ISR
    challenges
  • clock

    9:30

    Multi-Domain ISR – Strategic Defence Review Implications

    Group Captain Judith Graham, Head of Operations and Analysis, National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence, Defence Intelligence

  •   The main implications of the SDR for UK StratCom
  • ISR challenges of the changing strategic context
  • Implications for airborne ISR deployment and usage in conjunction with other domains’ capabilities
  • clock

    10:00

    Updates To The Sense And Understand Science And Technology Research Programme

    Mr. David Nethercott, Air Principal Advisor - Sense and Understand Programme, DSTL

  •  Harnessing innovation across UK industry to deliver AI-enabled ISTAR
  • Integrating multi-domain situational awareness
  • Potential gaps in research that industry may be able to address
  • clock

    10:30

    Morning Coffee & Networking

    clock

    11:00

    Integrated ISR and Decision Dominance

    Randy A. Bithell, Director, Information Dominance Analysis, Aeronautics Systems, Northrop Grumman

  • Overview of Northrop Grumman and industry’s role in delivering advanced capability
  • Leveraging decades of autonomy experience for today and tomorrow
  • The value of industry and partner collaboration
  • clock

    11:30

    Airborne ISR capability challenges in the High North

    Lieutenant Colonel Patrick LeBlanc, RCAF, Combat Plans Chief within their Joint Forces Air Component JFAC within 11 Group, Royal Air Force

  •  Adapting existing ISR technologies to the unique challenges of the High North
  • Considerations for operating airborne ISR assets in cold environments, including logistics and sustainment
  • Command, Control and Communication challenges in the High North which affect PED effectiveness
  • Integration of UAS and crewed ISR platforms
  • clock

    12:00

    Dedicated to Your Mission – Eyes in the Sky

    Robert Koolen, Sales Director Special Mission Aircraft,  Fokker Services Group

  • How are the Airborne ISR assets, as the Eyes in the Sky, contributing in Multi-Domain operations?
  • Which asset has the best fit with your needs in relation to your organisation and / or mission?
  • Selecting the right platform and make the best choices in terms of equipment.
  • The integrator role during aircraft conversion.
  • Which (technical) challenges might occur in such highly complex conversion program?
  • clock

    12:30

    Networking Lunch

    clock

    13:30

    Deploying over-the-horizon radar to monitor the Arctic

    Pete Saunders, Director General NORAD Continental Defence Modernization, RCAF

     • Updates on NORAD’s work to monitor threats to the Canadian Arctic
    • New and emerging threats to the country
    • Deploying state-of-the-art sensors to gather intelligence in difficult terrain

    clock

    14:00

    Session Reserved for Satcom Direct

    Michael Tombs

    Michael Tombs, Business Development Lead, Europe, Satcom Direct - Government

    clock

    14:30

    Modernising ISR Capabilities in Response to Competing Strategic Interests

    Colonel Hans Martin Steiro, Commander 133 Air Wing, RNoAF P-8A Poseidon, Royal Norwegian Air Force

  •  Adapting existing ISR technologies to the unique challenges of the High North
  • Considerations for operating ISR assets in cold environments
  • Ongoing  industry engagement to resolve challenges associated with
    Arctic operations

     

  • clock

    15:00

    Afternoon Tea & Networking

    clock

    15:30

    Audience Discussion: Deploying ISR threats to track and monitor multi-domain problem sets

    Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

  •  How can airborne assets contribute to the common operational picture across all domains?
  • What are the key threats ISR assets must monitor in a contested environment, and how does that differ across operational theatres?
  • What key gaps exist in early warning and A2AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) strategies?
  • How can interoperability improve the tracking of emerging threats across crewed and uncrewed platforms?
  • clock

    16:30

    Chair’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day One

    Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

    clock

    16:45

    Networking Reception Hosted by Northrop Grumman

    clock

    8:30

    Registration & Coffee

    clock

    8:50

    Chair's Opening Remarks

    Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

    clock

    9:00

    Modernising Uncrewed ISR Assets for Deep Reconnaissance Operations

    Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Price, SO1 RPAS, Land ISTAR Programme, British Army

  •  Future integration of British Army UAS where there is an information disadvantage
  • Ensuring the near-real time exchange of data between operational and tactical formations
  • Updates on integrating UASs into evolving land-component doctrine
  • clock

    9:30

    Romanian Strategic Initiatives in the Black Sea Region

    Brigadier General Virgil Nicu Florescu, Commander 18th ISR Brigade, Romanian Army

  •  Enhancing the deployment and operational effectiveness of ISR assets in maritime and joint environments
  • Integrating new ISR platforms into joint exercises with NATO partner forces
  • Existing partnership opportunities with Romania to address ISR challenges
  • clock

    10:00

    Morning Coffee & Networking

    clock

    10:30

    Eyes in the Sky: ISR Beyond Sensors Across Domains

    Mario Fassero Gamba, Vice President Airborne Mission System Programs, Leonardo

    1. The Genesis of ISR system
    2. Beyond the Sensor: Maximizing Mission Effectiveness with Integrated ISR
    3. The ISR Big Data Challenge: From Collection to Actionable Intelligence
    4. Elevating ISR: Integrating AI/ML for Actionable Intelligence
    5. Next-Generation ISR: Unlocking Multi-Domain Capabilities
     

    clock

    11:00

    The future of Italian Airborne ISR

    Colonel Raffaele Cavaliere, Commandant, Air Force Geospatial Information Centre, Italian Air Force

  •  Viewing soldiers as producers and consumers of information
  • How can industry help better integrate soldiers into the information network
  • Responding to the ‘Massification’ of conflict
  • clock

    11:30

    Speeding Up Downtime through Improved Procurement of Critical Consumables

    Mr. Crescenzo Esposito, UAS Branch Chief / MQ-9 Project Executive Officer, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)

  •  Deploying predictive maintenance and AI-driven logistics to improve supply chain efficiency
  • Modernising procurement reforms to reduce delays in obtaining mission-critical parts
  • Streamlining supply chains through can international partnerships
  • clock

    12:00

    Networking Lunch

    clock

    13:00

    Virtual Address: Modernising US Army ISR Capabilities

    Mr. Andrew Evans, Director, Strategy & Transformation (DAMI-ST), US Army

    • Divestment of ageing ISR fleet
    • How the “bridge” strategy helps inform the new program of record
    • Future of airborne ISR realized through HADES
     

    clock

    13:30

    Undertaking Data-Led Decision-Making in Contested Environments

    Colonel Steven Curtis, Commanding Officer, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade , US Army Europe

  •  Deploying big data analytics to improve situational awareness and decision-making
  • Exploring the challenges that exist in filtering vast amounts of ISR data to extract actionable intelligence
  • Perspectives on how AI and machine learning can predict enemy movements and enhance strategic planning
  • clock

    14:00

    Afternoon Tea

    clock

    14:30

    Panel Discussion: Best Usage of AI Technology in the ISR process

  •  Where is the intersection of human expertise and AI-driven solutions in modern defence strategies?
  • What is the long-term vision for AI and data management in ISR operations?
  • Collaboration opportunities between nations to advance AI technology and its application in ISR
  • Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

    Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Price, SO1 RPAS, Land ISTAR Programme, British Army

    Colonel Raffaele Cavaliere, Commandant, Air Force Geospatial Information Centre, Italian Air Force

    Colonel Steven Curtis, Commanding Officer, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade , US Army Europe

    clock

    15:15

    Audience discussion and case studies: What are the next steps for Airborne ISR?

    Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF

    clock

    15:45

    Chair’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day Two

    Group Captain (Res.) James Beldon, Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander, RAF


    Commander 18th ISR Brigade
    Romanian Army
    Commander 133 Air Wing, RNoAF P-8A Poseidon
    Royal Norwegian Air Force
    Commandant, Air Force Geospatial Information Centre
    Italian Air Force
    Commanding Officer, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade
    US Army Europe
    Former ISTAR Deputy Force Commander
    RAF
    Head of Operations and Analysis, National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence
    Defence Intelligence
    ISTAR Deputy Force Commander
    RAF
    SO1 RPAS, Land ISTAR Programme
    British Army
    RCAF, Combat Plans Chief within their Joint Forces Air Component JFAC within 11 Group
    Royal Air Force
    Vice President Airborne Mission System Programs
    Leonardo
    Business Development Lead, Europe
    Satcom Direct - Government
    Director, Strategy & Transformation (DAMI-ST)
    US Army
    UAS Branch Chief / MQ-9 Project Executive Officer
    NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
    Air Principal Advisor - Sense and Understand Programme
    DSTL
    Director General NORAD Continental Defence Modernization
    RCAF
    Director, Information Dominance Analysis, Aeronautics Systems
    Northrop Grumman
    Sales Director Special Mission Aircraft
     Fokker Services Group

    Sponsors

    Exhibitors

    Official Media Partner

    VENUE

    To ensure the security of the event, the exact location will not be disclosed publicly. Once your booking has been confirmed and approved, you will receive the full event location and address, along with the hotel booking form.

    Current Attendee List

    Download

    Chair's Letter - James Beldon

    Download

    Airborne ISR 2025 - Sponsorship Opportunities

    Download

    Past Presentation - Rich Berry

    Download

    Past Presentation - Craig Ledieu

    Download

    Past Presentation - Virgil-Nicu Florescu

    Download

    Sponsors


    Fokker Services Group

    Sponsors
    https://fokkerservicesgroup.com/

    Fokker Services Group (FSG) is an independent aerospace service company with a global reach. Providing comprehensive solutions from its five facilities in Europe, Asia and the Americas, FSG is a key partner for regional, narrow-body and wide-body platforms in the Commercial, VIP, Cargo and Defense markets. The organization offers a unique set of capabilities, products and services: ‘Modifications & Engineering Services’ for the latest technical solutions; ‘Component & Material Services’ such as nose-to-tail programs, exchange services, component repairs, parts manufacturing and spares deliveries; ‘Airframe Services’ for aircraft MRO including lease transitions and painting; and ‘Aircraft Completion & Conversion Services’ for Executive, VVIP and Special Mission aircraft programs. With this broad range of expertise, FSG is driven to exceed the expectations of its customers.



    Leonardo

    Sponsors
    https://uk.leonardo.com/en/media/uk-events/helicopter-technology-central-eastern-europe

    Leonardo is a global leader in aerospace, defence and security, delivering advanced multi-domain capabilities across its Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Cyber Security, and Space divisions. In military helicopters, Leonardo provides cutting-edge solutions spanning from 3-tonne single-engine to 15.6-tonne three-engine platforms, world-leading air protection, reconnaissance and surveillance technologies along with integrated support to ensure global operational effectiveness and readiness.



    Northrop Grumman Corporation

    Sponsors
    http://www.northropgrumman.com

    Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 100,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.


    Satcom Direct

    Sponsors
    http://www.satcomdirect.com

    Satcom Direct (SD) is founded on a core belief of understanding the value of time and the importance of maximizing it. Since our inception in 1997, the company mobilizes the most cutting-edge technologies to enable connection, wherever you might be. SD’s solutions span business aviation, marine, military, government, and telecommunications sectors, with the singular goal of leading connectivity industry standards.

    Harnessing a powerful combination of tools, SD delivers consistent, reliable connectivity across the globe. Proprietary software, hardware, terrestrial infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions and award-winning customer services create tailored data services for each individual customer mission. The aim is to enhance the passenger and ownership experience, improve efficiency and give back precious time by providing connectivity beyond all expectations. From our World headquarters in Florida USA, across 14 additional locations in 11 countries, including the UK, Switzerland, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Brazil and our manufacturing base in Canada, our truly global workforce is dedicated to advancing our mission to serve you.


    Exhibitors


    CRFS

    Exhibitors
    http://www.crfs.com

    CRFS is an RF technology specialist for defense and national security agencies who need to understand and exploit the electromagnetic environment. We work closely with end customers, system integrators and international partners delivering technologically advanced capabilities that provide actionable RF intelligence, real-time situational awareness and enable spectrum dominance. CRFS has a global reach and a leading position in the US and Europe. Solutions span the fields of spectrum monitoring, electronic warfare support, direction finding and geolocation, RF recording and I/Q data capture, and forensic wideband signal analysis. CRFS’s unique multi-mission RFeye ecosystem is a TRL-9 solution and widely deployed by leading NATO nations and allies. Systems combine scalable hardware / software combinations, equally capable of operating standalone or sub-systems for critical land, sea and air missions.

    Media Partners


    Armada International

    Official Media Partner
    http://armadainternational.com

    ARMADA INTERNATIONAL is leading defence magazine which reports on and analyses defence systems, equipment and technology. Together with its Compendium supplements, ARMADA provides defence planners in the militaries, in government, in procurement and in the defence industry itself with the information they need to plan their strategies.

    SAVE TO


    Outlook Calendar  OUTLOOK CALENDAR
    Google Calendar  GOOGLE CALENDAR
    ICal Calendar  ICAL CALENDAR
    Yahoo! Calendar  YAHOO! CALENDAR

    Hilton London Kensington

    179-199 Holland Park Avenue
    London W11 4UL
    United Kingdom

    Hilton London Kensington

    At the heart of the Holland Park district, our hotel is 10 minutes from Westfield London shopping center. We're blocks from Shepherd's Bush Underground station, linking to central London, and Kensington Palace and Gardens are two miles from us. Enjoy 24-hour access to our fitness center.

     
    Join us in WestEleven for hearty buffet breakfast, a great way to start the day! Our Avenue Bar and Lounge serves light bites throughout the day as well as a delicious, seasonal dining menu.”
    HOTEL BOOKING FORM

    Title

    SubTitle
    speaker image

    Content


    Title


    Description

    Download

    Title


    Description

    Download

    Title


    Description


    Download


    WHAT IS CPD?

    CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development’. It is essentially a philosophy, which maintains that in order to be effective, learning should be organised and structured. The most common definition is:

    ‘A commitment to structured skills and knowledge enhancement for Personal or Professional competence’

    CPD is a common requirement of individual membership with professional bodies and Institutes. Increasingly, employers also expect their staff to undertake regular CPD activities.

    Undertaken over a period of time, CPD ensures that educational qualifications do not become obsolete, and allows for best practice and professional standards to be upheld.

    CPD can be undertaken through a variety of learning activities including instructor led training courses, seminars and conferences, e:learning modules or structured reading.

    CPD AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

    There are approximately 470 institutes in the UK across all industry sectors, with a collective membership of circa 4 million professionals, and they all expect their members to undertake CPD.

    For some institutes undertaking CPD is mandatory e.g. accountancy and law, and linked to a licence to practice, for others it’s obligatory. By ensuring that their members undertake CPD, the professional bodies seek to ensure that professional standards, legislative awareness and ethical practices are maintained.

    CPD Schemes often run over the period of a year and the institutes generally provide online tools for their members to record and reflect on their CPD activities.

    TYPICAL CPD SCHEMES AND RECORDING OF CPD (CPD points and hours)

    Professional bodies and Institutes CPD schemes are either structured as ‘Input’ or ‘Output’ based.

    ‘Input’ based schemes list a precise number of CPD hours that individuals must achieve within a given time period. These schemes can also use different ‘currencies’ such as points, merits, units or credits, where an individual must accumulate the number required. These currencies are usually based on time i.e. 1 CPD point = 1 hour of learning.

    ‘Output’ based schemes are learner centred. They require individuals to set learning goals that align to professional competencies, or personal development objectives. These schemes also list different ways to achieve the learning goals e.g. training courses, seminars or e:learning, which enables an individual to complete their CPD through their preferred mode of learning.

    The majority of Input and Output based schemes actively encourage individuals to seek appropriate CPD activities independently.

    As a formal provider of CPD certified activities, SAE Media Group can provide an indication of the learning benefit gained and the typical completion. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the delegate to evaluate their learning, and record it correctly in line with their professional body’s or employers requirements.

    GLOBAL CPD

    Increasingly, international and emerging markets are ‘professionalising’ their workforces and looking to the UK to benchmark educational standards. The undertaking of CPD is now increasingly expected of any individual employed within today’s global marketplace.

    CPD Certificates

    We can provide a certificate for all our accredited events. To request a CPD certificate for a conference , workshop, master classes you have attended please email events@saemediagroup.com

    Event Title

    Headline

    Text
    Read More

    I would like to speak at an event

    I would like to attend an event

    Group Booking

    Please complete the below form and a member of SAE Media Group’s booking team will be in contact within 24 hours

    I would like to sponsor/exhibit at an event

    SIGN UP OR LOGIN

    Sign up
    Forgotten Password?

    Contact SAE Media Group

    UK Office
    Opening Hours: 9.00 - 17.30 (local time)
    SAE Media Group , Ground Floor, India House, 45 Curlew Street, London, SE1 2ND, United Kingdom
    Tel: +44 (0) 20 7827 6000 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7827 6001
    Website: http://www.smgconferences.com Email: events@saemediagroup.com
    Registered in England - SMi Group Ltd trading as SAE Media Group




    Forgotten Password

    Please enter the email address you registered with. We will email you a new password.

    Thank you for visiting our event

    If you would like to receive further information about our events, please fill out the information below.

    By ticking above you are consenting to receive information by email from SAE Media Group.
    Full details of our privacy policy can be found here https://www.smgconferences.com/privacy-legals/privacy-policy/.
    Should you wish to update your contact preferences at any time you can contact us at data.privacy@smgconferences.com.
    Should you wish to be removed from any future mailing lists please click on the following link http://www.smgconferences.com/opt-out

    Fill in your details to download the brochure

    By submitting this form you agree to our privacy policy and consent to receiving communications, you may opt out at any time.

    Join the loitering munitions community

    Keep up to date with industry news, insights, and community updates FREE and direct to your inbox every month!
    * - required fields
    You can unsubscribe at any time. For full details see our Privacy Policy