Electronic Warfare Applied Research

The Electronic Warfare Applied Research program (PE 0602275A) is a U.S. Army research and development initiative focused on advancing electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities to support multi-domain operations. The program aims to develop technologies, architectures, and analytical tools that enhance the Army's ability to conduct electronic attack, electronic support, and electronic protection missions. These efforts are intended to ensure force survivability, operational maneuverability, and the effective employment of non-kinetic effects in increasingly contested electromagnetic environments. The program is part of the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) Funding pilot, which accelerates the deployment of promising technologies and is aligned with Army modernization priorities and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering focus areas.

Sensor to Shooter (STS) Applied Research targets the development of advanced algorithms and architectures for armaments fire control systems, with a particular emphasis on counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-sUAS) engagements. The goal is to provide maneuver units with improved mobility, increased protection, and enhanced lethality against sUAS threats. This includes the design of intelligent, distributed fire control capabilities and the maturation of counter-surveillance and reconnaissance solutions to support large-scale combat operations in joint all-domain command and control environments. The work is conducted by the Armaments Center, C5ISR Center, and the Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center.

Autonomous Navigation Technology focuses on developing Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) electronic attack capabilities to deny adversaries the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The project leverages software-defined hardware to rapidly develop and validate new waveforms and techniques for disrupting adversary navigation and geolocation. Efforts include modeling, simulation, and laboratory experiments to identify the most promising attack vectors. The project also supports the development of cooperative, resilient NAVWAR systems for distributed payloads. The work is performed by the Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center and the C5ISR Center.

Modular GPS Independent Sensors Technology seeks to create assured and resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions that are less dependent on GPS and more resistant to electromagnetic attacks. The project investigates the integration of diverse commercial and military RF signal sources, sensor fusion, and modular plug-and-play sensor architectures. Efforts include developing techniques for precision time transfer across platforms and validating cooperative PNT concepts to ensure operational effectiveness in contested environments. Research is led by the C5ISR Center.

CEMA Sensing Technology is aimed at developing algorithms and methodologies for passive and active sensing of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect, identify, and respond to adversarial cyber and electromagnetic activities. The project investigates resource management for simultaneous RF operations and enhances the Army's deep sensing capabilities by leveraging all available assets for real-time feedback and battle damage assessment. The C5ISR Center leads these efforts, which support improved situational awareness and threat detection.

Electronic Warfare Technology encompasses research into advanced EW applications, including electronic attack, support, and protection, as well as emerging concepts for non-kinetic survivability and lethality. The project explores technologies such as digital RF memory, cognitive radars, distributed electromagnetic warfare, and compact RF architectures for unmanned systems. Additional efforts focus on developing low probability of detection communications, deep operational sensing, and distributed signal obfuscation techniques. The work is conducted by the Army Research Laboratory and the Data and Analysis Center.

Other key projects within the program include efforts to develop countermeasures against adversarial ISR and counter-fire systems to enhance blue force survivability, survivability solutions for Future Vertical Lift platforms in anti-access/area denial environments, and advances in radar capabilities for air and missile defense. Additional work focuses on creating analytical tools and methodologies to assess and harden Army network and communication systems against cyber and EW threats. Collectively, these efforts support the Army's goal of maintaining technological superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum and ensuring operational effectiveness in future conflicts.