Project: Market Research EW - Dominick de Waal

Catalyst Accelerator: Electronic Warfare Market Viability

Role: Technical Writing Intern | Team Size: 3 | Duration: Oct 2024 - Jan 2025

Primary Competencies: Technical Writing, Research & Analysis, Collaboration, Information Synthesis

Project Overview

During my internship with the Catalyst Accelerator for Technology and Innovation, I had the opportunity to contribute to a significant market research project focused on the complex and rapidly evolving field of Electronic and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW). Our core objective, working as a team of three interns, was to produce a comprehensive report assessing the market viability of emerging EW technologies, particularly at the intersection of satellite communications and artificial intelligence. This report was intended to provide strategic insights for key stakeholders, including the US Space Force and the US Army.

My Role & Process: From Research to Report

From the outset in early October, establishing clear communication and a collaborative workflow was essential. We set up regular biweekly virtual meetings with our team and Catalyst staff, alongside consistent communication via group chats, ensuring we could address questions and stay aligned throughout the research and writing phases. The positive and professional dynamic within our team made this process smooth and productive.

My initial weeks involved diving deep into preliminary research. The subject matter was highly technical, requiring extensive exploration of military journals, industry publications, and market analyses. I utilized the UCCS Kraemer Library databases extensively, searching for relevant data on EW technologies, satellite communications advancements, AI integration, and market trends. A recurring challenge was navigating paywalls to access crucial quantitative market data, but persistence paid off in finding valuable open-access resources and academic papers.

Table showing FAA mass classifications for satellites, defining Smallsats (0.1-600 kg) and comparing them to larger classes up to Extra Heavy (>7,001 kg). — Figure 1: FAA classification of satellite mass categories (Source: FAA, 2018).

Synthesizing this complex information into accessible content was a core part of my contribution and a significant learning process. To truly grasp intricate concepts – like the nuances of 6G satellite communication or the specifics of advanced power storage systems described in papers like Aghmadi et al.'s work on "Energy Storage Systems" – I developed a method of active reprocessing. I would systematically break down articles, summarize key arguments and evidence, and rewrite concepts in my own words from memory. This iterative process was vital for identifying knowledge gaps and ensuring I could accurately translate technical details for the report's audience.

Diagram illustrating a hybrid PV monitoring system with components including solar panel, battery, camera, CNN, FDI, data anonymization/encryption, and cloud infrastructure, showing data flow to an operator. — Figure 2: Example system architecture illustrating data flow from sensor capture through processing and security layers.

As we moved into the writing phase around late December/early January, collaboration intensified. We developed a master outline and divided sections, with my primary focus being the Industry Overview, Market Trends, and Current and Emerging Technologies sections. We often worked simultaneously within shared Google Docs, utilizing comments and chat features for real-time editing and feedback – a testament to our refined collaborative skills. Integrating the aggregated market data and ensuring accurate citations for the comprehensive References list were also key tasks I managed.

Table of Contents for the Electronic Warfare Market Research Report, showing sections like Executive Summary, Industry Overview (including EW, AI/ML, SATCOM), Market Analysis, and Strategic Recommendations. — Figure 3: Table of Contents from the final EW Market Research Report.

Outcome & Key Takeaways

We submitted a strong rough draft ahead of our early January deadline. The feedback from the Catalyst Campus staff was very positive, validating our hard work and collaborative approach. I incorporated their minor recommendations into the final version submitted shortly after. This project was an intensive, real-world application of crucial technical communication competencies.

**Technical Writing:** I honed my ability to distill complex, specialized information into clear, concise, and accurate prose suitable for a strategic military and industry audience.
**Research & Analysis:** I gained significant experience navigating academic and industry databases, evaluating source credibility, extracting relevant data points, and identifying key market trends within a highly technical domain.
**Collaboration:** Working effectively within a remote team, maintaining consistent communication, and leveraging collaborative tools were integral to the project's success.
**Information Synthesis:** My method of breaking down and rewriting complex concepts proved essential for understanding the material deeply enough to explain it clearly to others.

Ultimately, our team delivered a comprehensive, well-researched report that provided valuable market intelligence to the Catalyst Accelerator and its stakeholders, contributing to their understanding of the dynamic EW landscape. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that significantly strengthened my skills as a technical communicator.