From the Crows’ Nest – site page
The Success of EMSO in Venezuela
From the Crows’ Nest – site page
•January 21, 2026•50 min
0
From the Crows’ Nest – site page•Jan 21, 2026
Why It Matters
Understanding how EW and directed‑energy systems were pivotal in a high‑profile, real‑world operation illustrates the rapid maturation of these technologies and their strategic impact on future conflicts. For defense professionals and policymakers, the episode offers timely insight into budget priorities, supply‑chain constraints, and the necessity of joint training as adversaries increasingly employ drone swarms and sophisticated electronic defenses.
Key Takeaways
- •U.S. used E‑18G Growlers to disable Venezuelan radar.
- •Operation demonstrated seamless joint EW and carrier strike capabilities.
- •Success signals U.S. willingness to project power in Western Hemisphere.
- •Mantech promotes affordable, proliferated non‑kinetic effects for future conflicts.
- •Digital foundry approach reduces integration cost and complexity.
Pulse Analysis
The recent U.S. operation in Venezuela showcased a sophisticated blend of electronic warfare and carrier‑based power. By deploying E‑18G Growler aircraft, the team nullified Russian‑supplied Venezuelan radar and air‑defense systems, allowing special‑operations forces to enter and extract targets without any blue‑force casualties. The mission highlighted the effectiveness of joint planning across services, illustrating how carrier strike groups can be repurposed for rapid, low‑visibility interventions when paired with advanced EW assets.
Beyond the tactical win, the raid sends a clear strategic message to global adversaries. Demonstrating the ability to silence modern air‑defense networks in South America reinforces U.S. resolve to protect its interests across the Western Hemisphere and deters rivals such as China and Iran, who rely on Venezuelan oil revenues. The operation aligns with emerging doctrines that emphasize rapid, non‑kinetic pressure points, suggesting a broader shift toward using electromagnetic dominance as a tool of geopolitical coercion.
Mantech’s commentary on non‑kinetic effects (NKE) underscores how the industry is adapting to this new battlefield reality. By championing affordable, proliferated EW and cyber capabilities, Mantech aims to force adversaries into costly counter‑measures while preserving high‑value platforms. Their digital foundry, built on model‑based systems engineering, streamlines integration, cuts prototype spend, and enables synchronized NKE umbrellas around ships, submarines, and aircraft. This cost‑effective, scalable approach positions the U.S. to sustain electronic superiority in future conflicts, from contested seas to contested skies.
Episode Description
In this episode, host Ken Miller takes a closer look at a recent US military operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a case study in how electromagnetic warfare (EW) and directed energy are shaping modern conflict. Journalist Mike Fabey joins the discussion to share insights from his reporting, including the US military’s ability to execute complex missions without losses to friendly forces and the broader strategic message sent to global competitors like China.
Ken then speaks with Dr. David Stoudt, Executive Director of the Directed Energy Professional Society, about the current state of directed energy, its relationship to EW, and the challenges of transitioning these capabilities into operational use, highlighting the growing need for closer collaboration between the EW and directed energy communities.
We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.
To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.
Show Notes
The Success of EMSO in Venezuela
January 21, 2026 – Association of Old Crows
Host: Ken Miller – AOC Director of Advocacy & Outreach, Host of @AOCrows From the Crows’ Nest Podcast
Editor: Ish Balderas‑Wong
Producer: Laura Krebs
Episode Overview
In this episode, host Ken Miller examines a recent U.S. military operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a case study in how electromagnetic warfare (EW) and directed energy are shaping modern conflict. Journalist Mike Fabey joins to discuss the operation’s execution and strategic implications. The conversation then turns to Dr. David Stoudt, Executive Director of the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS), who provides a state‑of‑the‑art look at directed‑energy technologies and their integration with EW.
Transcript
Speaker 1 (00:01.71)
If you look at the broad spectrum of things, you had this operation, you had everything the US was doing in the Red Sea and the way they were evolving to take care of threats there. You had the Iranian operation, right? Taking out the politics, because that's just not my swimwear. But taking out the politics of what was right, what was wrong, what was legal, what was illegal. Taking all that out. If you look at just a straight military kind of thing, around the world, the US has been showing we are willing and capable of executing missions like this.
Speaker 3 (00:42.414)
Welcome to From the Crows’ Nest. I’m your host, Ken Miller from the Association of Old Crows. It’s great to be back here with you. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about the state of directed energy. We do this episode to kick off the year. We usually address a directed‑energy topic each year around this time to give a look at what we can anticipate throughout the coming months. Before I get to that, I want to address the elephant in the room. Last week, while we were on break, the US conducted a military operation against Venezuela to abduct and bring Venezuelan dictator Maduro to justice here in the US. Of course, like any operation, it is heavily reliant on electromagnetic‑spectrum operations. And so I wanted to talk a little bit about what that operation means for our community. I am pleased to be here with journalist and author and friend of the show, Mike Fabey.
Ken Miller:
Mike, it’s great to have you back on the show. Thanks for joining me.
Mike Fabey:
It’s a real pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Ken Miller:
You actually wrote an article on the operation for Jane’s Defence. Our listeners can find that article on JetOnline. You’ve taken part in a lot of the post‑operation press briefings from General Kane and so forth. Tell us a little bit about what you learned about how the operation was conducted from an operational standpoint and how EW fit into it.
Speaker 1 (02:13.23)
One of the things you’re going to notice about Venezuela is that, despite being a relatively small country, it has a pretty robust air‑defence system—largely Russian‑made. The US wanted to get in there without losing any blue forces, so they used EA‑18G Growler aircraft to nullify those electronic systems that would detect and target our forces. The operation was months in the making; they were waiting for a presidential order that came just after New Year. The fact that the US could pull this off without any friendly casualties sends a strong signal about our training, capability, and willingness to execute complex missions.
Speaker 3 (04:38.986)
From a military point of view, this shows how decades of training, acquisition, and platform development have finally come together. The carrier strike group, with its Growlers, was used exactly as intended—providing a floating airfield that could project power without exposing personnel.
Speaker 3 (06:18.422)
Reports indicated that, without warning, everything just stopped working at the same time—classic electronic‑warfare effect. The operation also involved ground forces and CIA operatives, illustrating the joint nature of modern missions.
Speaker 1 (08:22.298)
The operation also has geopolitical implications. Venezuela is a key oil supplier to China, and the US action sends a message to global competitors, especially China, about our willingness and ability to conduct such missions.
Speaker 1 (10:26.766)
Moving forward, there are many unanswered questions—what assets will remain in the region, how will the US employ them, and what does this mean for future doctrine?
Speaker 3 (12:21.706)
The operation signals a shift in how the US will approach global conflicts, linking South American events to broader strategic concerns like China‑Taiwan tensions and resource competition.
Speaker 3 (14:30.368)
Minerals and rare‑earth elements are critical for modern supply chains, and the US is increasingly aware of the need to secure access, which adds another layer to the strategic calculus.
Ken Miller:
At this time I’d like to turn to my special guest, Dr. David Stoudt, Executive Director of the Directed Energy Professional Society.
Dr. David Stoudt:
Thanks, Ken. DEPS was founded in 1999 to focus on high‑energy lasers and high‑power microwave systems. Over the past 25 years we’ve held conferences on systems, technology, and testing, often at classified or high‑security levels.
Ken Miller:
What’s the current state of directed energy heading into 2026?
Dr. Stoudt:
The Undersecretary for Research and Engineering recently reduced the number of priority technology areas to six, one of which is “scale directed‑energy.” This should boost budget support for fielding directed‑energy capabilities to warfighters. We need to get these systems into the hands of operators earlier in the development cycle, especially to counter emerging drone‑swarm threats.
Speaker 3 (18:43.074)
The convergence of threats—particularly swarming drones—creates an urgent need for both EW and directed‑energy solutions. Drones often use fiber‑optic control, limiting free‑space radiation for EW, which pushes us toward laser and high‑power microwave options.
Speaker 3 (20:57.326)
Scaling directed‑energy systems faces challenges: component size, weight, power, cooling, and industrial‑base capacity. Laser‑diode and fiber‑laser efficiencies are improving (> 40 %), reducing heat and enabling smaller, lighter packages, but the supply chain is still catching up.
Speaker 2 (22:36.108)
Unlike EW, which has a long heritage of fielded platforms, directed energy is still in a fledgling stage. The industrial base for high‑energy lasers, optics, and high‑power microwave tubes is limited, but demand is rising as more programs move toward fielding prototypes.
Speaker 1 (24:34.51)
Companies must balance innovation with realistic procurement expectations. The demand signal from warfighters and acquisition communities is high, but funding and program‑of‑record certainty are still developing.
Speaker 2 (26:15.178)
It’s crucial to keep prices reasonable and avoid over‑investing before the market matures. Successful deployment will drive further demand.
Speaker 3 (27:20.482)
AOC can help by fostering collaboration between EW and directed‑energy communities, ensuring leadership understands the capabilities and the need for rapid fielding.
Speaker 2 (29:00.144)
Education is key—leaders grasp laser concepts easily, but high‑power microwaves and electronic attacks require more explanation. Joint training and shared lessons from EW can accelerate adoption.
Speaker 3 (31:23.029)
Joint and coalition operations add complexity: different services and allies must coordinate to avoid fratricide and ensure interoperability of directed‑energy systems.
Speaker 2 (32:57.25)
NATO work on high‑power microwaves and high‑energy lasers has laid groundwork for coalition fielding, emphasizing common standards and communication.
Ken Miller:
Dr. Stoudt, where can listeners learn more about DEPS?
Dr. Stoudt:
Visit www.deps.org (or www.deps.org – the correct URL is www.deps.org). Feel free to reach out to me or any staff member for questions or collaboration opportunities.
Ken Miller (closing):
Thank you to our guests, Mike Fabey and Dr. David Stoudt, for sharing their insights. As always, please review, share, and subscribe to the podcast. We appreciate your feedback.
End of episode.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...