ECE Distinguished Lecture — September 6 at 2 p.m. in Simrall Hall 104
August 31, 2023
ECE Distinguished Lecture
September 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm (Simrall Hall 104)
Emerging Electromagnetic Spectrum Technology
Dr. Seng Hong
Air Force Research Laboratory
Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation and radio waves play a critical role in cell phone technology, wireless networks, TV broadcasting, medical imaging, communications, radar systems, electronic warfare technique development, etc. The modern electromagnetic operational environment (EMOE) is increasingly complex, congested, contested, and constrained. Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) superiority depends on achieving competitive advantage, innovative research and development (R&D) to maintain institutional expertise, advanced technical training, and actively preserved core competency relevance. According to recent studies, near-peer adversaries are aware of the importance of the electromagnetic spectrum and have taken steps to improve their capabilities through strategic, organizational, and training advances in multi-domain operations – Land, Sea, Air, Space, and Cyberspace.
Biographical Notes: Dr. Hong serves as Senior Advisor to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Sensors Directorate, Spectrum Warfare Division, to instigate research topics and develop technologies for air platforms that enable mission assurance in contested and denied environments against threats that exploit the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). In 2019, Dr. Hong was appointed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) to serve as the USAF National Representative to The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) Electronic Warfare Systems (EWS) Group to develop future radar systems and electronic warfare (EW) technologies with 5-Eyes partner nations, addressing an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving threat landscape. Dr. Hong received the Association of Old Crows (AOC) 2020 International Achievement Award in recognition of his superior leadership of worldwide teams that have significantly advanced electronic warfare technologies for US Air Force aircraft and allied platforms and the 2023 EW Professional Outstanding Achievement Award for exceptional achievements and contributions to electronic warfare and related fields. From 2012 to 2017, Dr. Hong was Program Manager/International Program Officer at the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD) in Tokyo, Japan, to serve as the USAF liaison for collaborative science and technology (S&T) research programs between the Air Force Research Lab and the Asian scientific center of excellence in academia, industry, and government laboratories to identify essential and unique foreign research, development and accomplishments having direct or potential USAF application. Dr. Hong received the USAF Exemplary Civilian Service Medal and Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Dr. Hong previously served as AFRL Technical Lead supporting Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Radar Systems Technology (RST) Trade Study and Antenna Phased Array Research & Development (R&D) programs with the primary focus on the development and demonstration of affordable high-performance radar architectures and technologies that provide advanced capabilities essential for high-performance countermeasure-resistant radars to address emergent missile threats.
Before joining AFRL in 2002, Dr. Hong worked for General Dynamics, Fort Worth Division, AFEWES (AF Plant 4) with 17 years of experience in system engineering, hardware design, foreign threat sub-system reverse engineering, RF devices/component characterization and assessment, computer-aided design integrated circuit modeling, radar cross section computation, RF data collection, and flight qualified assurance compliance.
In Aug 1979, as Cambodian refugees, Seng and his wife (Kim) were sponsored by a church group in Louisville, Mississippi. Seng completed his 6th-grade education before Cambodia’s civil unrest started in 1970. Thanks to so many kindhearted Mississippians who had graciously taught Seng to speak English (with a Southern drawl). In Dec 1985, Seng received a BS EE from MSU.
For further information, contact Samee U. Khan | skhan@ece.msstate.edu | 662.325.0167