Electronic Warfare Cyber Advanced Technology

PE 0603276A: Electronic Warfare Cyber Advanced Technology is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) program within the Army's Advanced Technology Development portfolio. The primary objective of this program element is to mature and demonstrate advanced architectures, technologies, techniques, components, and tools that enhance Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) for Multi-Domain Joint Operations in tactical environments. The program is designed to counter adversary Command, Control, Computing, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Targeting (C-C5ISR&T) capabilities, and to plan, target, and execute cyber effects using non-traditional access vectors against adversarial systems and networks.

This line item supports the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) Funding pilot, which aims to foster innovation and accelerate the deployment of promising technologies. Funding reflects a realignment from previous efforts under PE 0603457A (C3I Cyber Advanced Development), specifically Project 6CY (Autonomous Cyber Advanced Technology) and Project 9CY (Network Access and Effects Advanced Technology). The program complements ongoing work in PE 0602376A (Electronic Warfare Cyber Applied Research) and aligns with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority areas and the Army modernization strategy.

A80: Autonomous Cyber Advanced Technology is the principal project under this program element. Its goal is to develop and demonstrate defense capabilities against adversarial attacks using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to evade detection and deceive automated network defense technologies. This project provides defensive cyber operations (DCO) software tools for multi-domain operations and equips tactical network cyber defenders with AI/ML capabilities.

The project also matures and demonstrates radio frequency (RF)-enabled cyber approaches to disrupt, deny, degrade, destroy, and manipulate (D4M) adversary C2ISR systems.

Predictive Intelligent Networking Cyber is a key effort within the Autonomous Cyber Advanced Technology project. Its objective is to mature and validate network micro-segmentation methods based on tactical network constraints, employing AI-based zero trust security features. These features autonomously identify, learn, predict, and react to changes in network operating conditions, optimizing resource quarantining and ensuring end-to-end network resiliency against adversarial AI-driven electronic and cyberattacks.

The focus is on maturing predictive algorithms and dynamic micro-segmentation to harden and protect tactical networks.

Tactical Hardening for Quantum is another significant initiative, aimed at enabling faster migration from existing public key infrastructure (PKI) algorithms to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms that are resilient against quantum computing threats. The program will develop and demonstrate hybrid certificates using combinations of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-selected PQC algorithms and assess their impact on hardware tokens such as smart cards. Additionally, migration procedures will be developed to facilitate PQC adoption with minimal disruption to system operations.

RF Enabled Offensive Effects Advanced Technology focuses on maturing innovative methodologies for RF-enabled cyber effects from Army tactical systems in proximity to adversary C2ISR capabilities. The objective is to develop and demonstrate electronic warfare (EW) techniques for just-in-time capability reprogramming and greater portability of effects across Army systems. The program will mature and demonstrate offensive cyber operations (OCO) and RF-enabled access against adversary targets, with an emphasis on automation concepts that reduce mission execution time.

PE 0603276A is structured to deliver advanced cyber and electronic warfare capabilities that increase unit survivability, maneuverability, and operational advantage in highly contested and congested electromagnetic environments. The program is executed by the C5ISR Center and is a realignment and continuation of prior efforts. Funding is dedicated to maturing and demonstrating technologies that support the Army's modernization and multi-domain operational goals.