This wasn't just another trade show; it was a gathering of people who understand that the work they do has real-world implications for military operations and national security.
For Radeus Labs, this mission alignment runs deep. Our founder's military background and the company's San Diego roots in a pro-military community have shaped its DNA.
With three veterans on our team and most products supporting DoD applications, attending ITC felt like a natural fit. The discussions about on-premise solutions, security-first approaches, and supporting military test ranges resonated strongly with our philosophy.
The conference theme, "AI to Improve Test & Evaluation", weren't just buzzwords. What stood out was how the community approached AI: not as some ethereal concept, but as a practical tool for solving real-world problems in physical test environments.
As someone who's been working in artificial intelligence since the 1980s, Dr. Touchton brought historical perspective that's often missing from today's AI discussions. He walked attendees through AI's evolution, including two "AI winters" in the early 80s and 90s, a fascinating reminder that innovation isn't always linear.
Bob outlined four distinct types of AI:
His framework emphasized that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. This practical wisdom from someone who's lived through decades of AI development was invaluable.
Showing how the the recent F1® The Movie had some real world T&E, Zap illustrated how McLaren uses continuous data streams to make real-time adjustments on the racetrack, then applied those same principles to fighter jets and military test ranges.
The parallel was perfect: both environments demand rapid prototyping, constant data analysis, and split-second decision-making. Meeting the team from Dell Federal (Dell's dedicated DoD division) was particularly encouraging. Their mission-driven approach to supporting military applications through commercial technology partnerships aligns perfectly with Radeus Labs' values.
The conference featured professionals working directly on DoD test ranges who provided current operational perspectives and identified advances needed for continued range success. Representatives from Reliance Test & Technology (RT&T) brought ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities facing military test infrastructure.
Devan Bishop, Systems Engineering Director from RT&T, exemplified the volunteer spirit that made ITC such a welcoming environment. RT&T's strong presence, with numerous team members serving as panelists, volunteers and participants, demonstrated their commitment to the telemetry community.
The discussion centered on how telemetry, the collection and transmission of measurement data, can leverage AI to transform military test and evaluation. The expertise around that table, combined with engaged audience participation, made for a truly enriching dialogue.
One discovery that particularly excited the Radeus Labs team was learning more about the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). This DoD organization is dedicated to ensuring that Department of Defense components have the right test and evaluation infrastructure. What's more, they're actively funding commercial applications that support this mission. For companies like Radeus Labs that are committed to supporting military readiness, TRMC represents an important avenue for collaboration and innovation.
For a 60-year-old conference to maintain such high standards speaks volumes about the community's dedication.
What struck the Radeus Labs team most about ITC wasn't just the technical content (though it was outstanding!), but the genuine sense of community.
This wasn't a collection of vendors pitching products; it was a group of professionals working together to elevate telemetry and test and evaluation capabilities. The focus on mentoring the next generation, evident in the numerous student papers and young professional initiatives, showed a community thinking beyond quarterly results to long-term mission success.
The atmosphere encouraged collaboration over competition. And even with travel restrictions limiting active military attendance, the spirit of service and support for our armed forces permeated most conversations.
The conversations at ITC about AI-driven test and evaluation are continuing this week as the Radeus team is in Washington D.C. at the NVIDIA GTC. NVIDIA's flagship event showcases the latest advancements in AI, edge computing, and GPU architecture, technologies that directly align with the mission-critical applications we discussed at ITC. If you are there, you can schedule a meeting with us HERE.
SC25 in St. Louis, MO