Presented by HII Mission Technologies
In a world where dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum could determine the outcome of tomorrow’s conflicts, Jennifer Edgin is leading a transformation in how the Navy approaches electronic warfare (EW). As Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, Edgin brings a strategic and systems-thinking lens to EW—redefining it as a living, integrated capability that spans technology, operations, and culture.
EW, often abstract and technical, is made tangible in Edgin’s view through the concept of an "ecosystem." Rather than stovepiped tools and programs, she envisions a fully integrated life cycle: beginning with R&D, moving through deployment and adaptation, and ending with retirement or redesign. Each stage feeds the others.
The design focus is paramount. Edgin uses a phrase from commercial product development: "Begin with the end in mind." For her, this means creating EW capabilities with the sailor in mind, anticipating how they’ll use tools under stress, and making sure the systems are relevant, intuitive, and adaptable.
This extends into how the Navy thinks about AI. Edgin is not interested in chasing buzzwords. Instead, she asks a simple but vital question: "What do you want the computer to do for you?" AI, when integrated properly, should sift through massive volumes of data so that human operators can focus on the decisions that matter. AI augments judgment; it doesn’t replace it.
She describes current efforts to use AI-enabled tools to process the raw inputs sailors must manage daily. By automating data analysis and filtering, the Navy can accelerate decisions, improve survivability, and outmaneuver adversaries. But to do this effectively, Edgin emphasizes, the quality and validation of that data must be top-tier.
"This isn’t a fire-and-forget situation," she says. "You have to groom your data and sustain the AI through its entire life cycle."
"Everything in our ecosystem is interconnected," she notes. "We want strong R&D, strong acquisition, and strong operational feedback loops—and our allies are part of that too."
The speed of change is another factor driving the Navy’s evolution. Just two years ago, AI barely registered in defense conversations. Today, it’s at the center of modernization. To stay ahead, Edgin is embedding design thinking principles throughout the development cycle and investing in low-cost computing platforms that can deliver capability at scale and speed.
Edgin also stresses the importance of breaking down barriers. The Navy’s decision-making is no longer compartmentalized. Integration is key. Her team uses a multidisciplinary approach that blends EW with ISR, cyber, and intelligence to create a shared situational picture. That picture supports faster, more informed decision-making in multi-domain operations.
"Things aren’t stovepiped anymore," she says. "We operate with a multi-domain view and collaborate across disciplines."
What enables that collaboration? Culture. Edgin points to the Navy’s "Get Real, Get Better" mindset championed by Admiral Kilby. It encourages experimentation, cross-functional teamwork, and systems thinking—all of which are essential to making EW future-ready.
Looking ahead, Edgin is watching developments in AI and low-cost computing with interest. These technologies, she believes, will allow the Navy to scale advanced decision-making tools across the fleet. By getting the right data to the right decision-makers at the right time, the Navy ensures its strategic advantage.
"If we can outthink our adversary and empower sailors with the tools they need," she concludes, "then we maintain control of the spectrum and the decision cycle. That’s what wins."
Key Takeaways:
EW is evolving into a fully integrated capability, from R&D through deployment
Design thinking and sailor-focused development are key to future-ready systems
AI should automate the grunt work of data processing so humans can focus on judgment
Integration across EW, ISR, and cyber domains improves decision-making
Culture, experimentation, and feedback are central to innovation in Navy information warfare
Excerpts from this conversation are featured on DefenseTech TV. Watch the full program at DefenseTech.TV.