Electronic Warfare Development

The Electronic Warfare Development program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0304270A, is a critical Army initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. Its primary goal is to advance engineering and manufacturing development for terrestrial (ground-based) electromagnetic warfare (EW) applications. The program aims to provide the Army with advanced capabilities to detect, identify, locate, process, and engage hostile forces by leveraging the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes disrupting or denying enemy communications, countering enemy radars, and mitigating threats from electronically fused munitions and other spectrum-dependent systems. The program is also a key enabler for Army modernization priorities, particularly in support of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) and rapid reprogramming of mission software in response to evolving threats.

CK3: TLS Echelon Above Brigade (EAB) focuses on developing a family of systems that deliver integrated Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), and cyber-enabled capabilities to Army Divisions, Corps, and Multi-Domain Task Forces. The objectives include providing extended-range terrestrial sensing, collection, and electromagnetic attack capabilities to support large-scale combat operations. TLS EAB is designed to offer indications and warnings, enhance force protection, improve targeting accuracy, and provide commanders with electronic attack and offensive cyber options.

The system is modular, platform-agnostic, and leverages both commercial and government off-the-shelf technologies to ensure adaptability and upgradeability against emerging threats. Activities under this line include prototyping, demonstration, experimentation, technical management, and prototype testing, with a competitive acquisition strategy and a rapid prototyping pathway to accelerate fielding.

EW6: ARA T-TSS (Army Reprogramming Analysis Team Target Sensing Systems) supports the Army's ability to rapidly reprogram mission software embedded in EW and Force Protection Systems. The main goal is to develop tools, techniques, and infrastructure to quickly adapt to changes in enemy threat signatures. This includes automated threat analysis, rapid development and validation of mission software, improved communication for software distribution, and enhanced uploading tools for fielded systems.

The ARAT initiative ensures that deployed forces can receive timely software updates to counter new or modified enemy EW threats, such as IEDs, MANPADS, and radar-guided weapons. The project also supports operational and developmental testing, as well as joint service reprogramming exercises, to maintain the effectiveness of Army EW systems in dynamic threat environments.

FJ5: Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is dedicated to developing a family of systems that integrate SIGINT and EW capabilities for Army maneuver forces at the brigade level. The TLS BCT program aims to provide a modular, tailorable solution both manpack and mounted variants that enhances the Army's ability to collect, process, exploit, and act upon electromagnetic spectrum information. The system supports indications and warnings, force protection, and situational awareness, while also enabling electronic attack options to degrade or disrupt enemy operations.

TLS BCT aligns with Army modernization priorities, such as Long Range Precision Fires, Network, and Soldier Lethality, and is designed for rapid prototyping and fielding to address capability gaps in multi-domain and large-scale combat operations.

Within the FJ5: TLS BCT line, specific objectives include the identification and integration of new enemy threat signals, development of countermeasures, and continuous system integration onto various vehicle platforms. The program also funds extensive system and operational test events to validate new capabilities and ensure readiness for field deployment. Technical and program management support is provided to oversee prototype development, integration, and the transition to rapid fielding authorities. The acquisition strategy emphasizes competitive contracting and agile development pathways to accelerate delivery and integration of advanced EW and SIGINT capabilities.

The Electronic Warfare Development program is structured to support rapid adaptation to evolving threats, integration with allied and joint force requirements, and alignment with broader Army transformation initiatives. Funding and management for these projects have been realigned in recent years to support agile portfolio management and rapid acquisition pilots, reflecting the need for flexibility and responsiveness in the face of rapidly changing electromagnetic threats. The program's activities are closely coordinated with operational needs statements from major Army commands and are informed by lessons learned from operational demonstrations and testing.