2026 Lunch and Learn
UPCOMING SESSION
PAST SESSIONS
JUNE 2026
Event Details
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Topic: From Data to Decision Advantage: AI-Enabled C2 and Human-in-the-Loop Operations
Speaker: Mr Matthew Lonsdale
Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 AEST | 14:30 – 15:30 NZST
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams | DPN Accessible​​​​​​​​
What's the session about?​
This session will explore how AI-enabled command-and-control concepts can support intelligence fusion, operational planning, and decision tempo, while preserving human judgement, accountability, and command responsibility.
Matthew will also discuss the practical implications for Defence and industry as Australia continues to build sovereign AI-enabled capability, drawing on his experience in AI-enabled decision support, human-machine teaming, and national security.
Session Highlights​
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From Data to Decision Advantage
Matthew began by highlighting that Defence organisations are not short of data. In many cases, they are drowning in it. However, more information does not automatically produce better decisions.
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He argued that the real challenge is conversion: converting information into understanding, understanding into judgement, and judgement into decisions quickly enough to matter. According to Matthew, this conversion process is where command and control truly lives.
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AI as an Information-to-Decision Architecture
A key theme of the presentation was that AI-enabled command and control should not be understood as a machine replacing a commander, analyst, or planner.
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Instead, Matthew described AI-enabled C2 as an information-to-decision architecture designed to help humans see faster, reason better, challenge assumptions earlier, and act with greater confidence under time pressure.
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The human remains responsible. The machine supports the human.
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Preserving Human Judgement and Command Responsibility
Matthew emphasised that AI can support decisions, but it cannot carry command responsibility.
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He noted that AI systems can produce confident outputs quickly, but confidence should not be mistaken for reliability. Human judgement, challenge, and professional scrutiny remain essential, particularly within Defence and national security environments.
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Practical Applications in Defence and National Security
Drawing on examples from intelligence fusion, operational planning, and decision support, Matthew demonstrated how AI can help structure fragmented information, identify patterns and inconsistencies, support planning activities, and improve decision tempo.
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However, he cautioned that AI should help accelerate staff thinking rather than replace it. The goal is to help people spend less time searching for and formatting information, and more time exercising judgement.
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Practical Principles for Implementation
Matthew concluded by outlining five principles for implementing AI-enabled decision support:
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• Start with the decision, not the model.
• Preserve the reasoning trail.
• Design systems that encourage challenge and critical thinking.
• Keep humans accountable.
• Build small, test rigorously, and scale proven solutions carefully.
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He argued that organisations should focus on improving real decision workflows rather than pursuing AI for its own sake.
About the Speaker
Matthew Lonsdale is the Founder of SURGE Intelligence, a Perth-based intelligence advisory focused on national security, strategic warning, and decision support.
A former Australian Defence Force intelligence professional, Matthew has worked across operational planning, strategic assessment, and intelligence support to senior decision-makers. His current work focuses on the practical application of AI-enabled decision support, human-machine teaming, and sovereign capability development for Defence and national security contexts.
Through SURGE Intelligence, Matthew helps organisations translate complex security developments into clear assessments, planning judgements, and decision-ready products. He is particularly interested in how AI can improve command-and-control workflows without replacing human judgement, accountability, or operational responsibility.
We’d love your feedback
If you joined us live or caught up via the recording, we welcome your thoughts. Please share your feedback via this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/H49gV4QJbX
FEBRUARY 2026
Event Details
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Topic: Modelling & Simulation in Electronic Warfare
Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 AEDT | 14:30 – 15:30 NZDT
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams | DPN Accessible
Format: Moderated panel discussion
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Chair:
Katherine Head, AOC ANZ Board Member
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Panellists:
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Dr Anthony Schellhase, Program Lead, Electronic Warfare, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
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Mike Turton AM, Business Development Director, Aurizn Defence
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Simon Reynolds, Senior EW Simulation Engineer, Simbiant
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Dr Don Gossink, Chief Scientist, Consunet​​​​​​
Session Highlights​
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Understanding the role of modelling and simulation in Electronic Warfare
The panel discussed how modelling and simulation enables Defence and industry to better understand complex electromagnetic environments and system behaviour. Modelling allows systems, threats, and environments to be represented mathematically or logically, while simulation enables those models to be executed and analysed under a wide range of conditions.This provides a safe and controlled way to examine system performance, explore operational scenarios, and support capability design and decision-making.
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Supporting capability development, test, and operational planning
Panellists shared examples of modelling and simulation being used throughout the capability lifecycle, including early-stage research and development, system design, test and evaluation, and operational planning.
Simulation allows organisations to evaluate performance, analyse system interactions, and explore capability effectiveness in scenarios that may be difficult, costly, or impractical to replicate through live testing alone.
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Enabling analysis across complex and contested environments
The panel highlighted how modelling and simulation helps organisations understand interactions across increasingly complex and contested electromagnetic environments. This includes analysing spectrum usage, system connectivity, countermeasure effectiveness, and broader mission-level effects.
These capabilities allow Defence and industry to better assess system performance, identify potential risks, and support informed capability and operational decisions.
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Complementing live trials and operational testing
Panellists noted that modelling and simulation complements live testing by allowing scenarios to be examined repeatedly, safely, and efficiently. It enables early identification of potential issues, supports capability development and refinement, and helps maximise the value of live trials by informing test design and interpretation.Simulation can also provide insight in areas where live testing may be limited by operational, cost, or safety constraints.
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Importance of collaboration across Defence and industry
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration between Defence, industry, and international partners in developing and applying modelling and simulation capabilities. Close cooperation helps ensure models remain relevant, accurate, and aligned with operational requirements, and supports ongoing capability development.
These partnerships play an important role in strengthening Australia’s Electronic Warfare capability and supporting informed, evidence-based decision-making.
About the Panellists
Dr Anthony Schellhase is Program Lead for Electronic Warfare at the Defence Science and Technology Group. He brings extensive experience across EW research, capability development, and Defence experimentation, with a particular focus on applying analytical and modelling approaches to support informed decision-making across the EW lifecycle. He has held roles supporting Australia’s participation in Five Eyes and bilateral EW science and technology initiatives.
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Mike Turton AM served more than 20 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, specialising in EW capability development, test, and operational employment. His work included the delivery of a major EW capability for the RAAF maritime fleet and early integration into Wedgetail, for which he was awarded the Order of Australia. Mike now leads business development at Aurizn Defence, with a focus on applying modelling and simulation to EW system development, testing, and evaluation.
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Simon Reynolds has over 30 years’ experience in military systems development, with deep expertise in EW modelling and simulation. He has worked extensively on the design, development, and simulation of threat and countermeasure systems within DSTG and industry, and has contributed to major EW simulation initiatives including TMAP, ITASE, and Chimera. Simon is currently focused on real-time, signal-level EW modelling using FPGA-accelerated platforms.
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Dr Don Gossink is Chief Scientist at Consunet and has more than 30 years’ experience across Defence science and technology. His career spans satellite and terrestrial communications, digital signal processing, sensor networks, and covert communications. He has also worked with the US Air Force Research Laboratory and has led the delivery of Defence solutions incorporating autonomy, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
About the Chair
Katherine Head is an experienced electronic warfare professional with more than 15 years’ experience across Australia’s defence and national security sector. She began her career in the Royal Australian Air Force, providing engineering, operational support, and test and evaluation services in support of EW capability generation.
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Following her transition to industry, Katherine has delivered engineering consultancy services across the C4ISREW domain and is now a Director of Euca Group, leading spectrum and autonomous systems services for Defence and national security customers. She is a lifetime member of AOC ANZ, has previously served as President and Secretary, and is an ongoing member of the AOC ANZ Board. Katherine is a strong advocate for Australian industry, research, and workforce development in EW.
