Cameron McColgan is a PhD Student in Modern Airpower for the Freeman Air and Space Institute. He graduated from King’s College London with a Master’s in National Security in 2025. There he carried out programming for several key War Studies events including the London Defence Conference. His research has focused on the strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific between the U.S. and China in the global commons. Prior to that he completed his Bachelor’s in International Political Economy from Pennsylvania State University. He has working proficiency in English and Spanish; currently working on his French.

His research focuses on the role of next generation fighters for Airpower in the era of technologies such as AI, hypersonics, electronic warfare, and drones. Including how policymakers and strategists consider the role of automation in decision-making and how culture impacts future planning.

Research Topics:

• Automated systems integration
• AI development and deployment
• Defence innovation capabilities and barriers
• Innovation and culture