Joint Electronic Advanced Technology

The Joint Electronic Advanced Technology (JEAT) program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing capabilities in the Electromagnetic Operating Environment (EMOE). The program is designed to address increasingly complex challenges posed by adversaries in terrestrial and space domains, where the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is critical for sensing, communications, and non-kinetic military effects. JEAT's overarching goal is to ensure U.S. warfighters maintain decisive Electronic Warfare (EW) and EW/Cyber overmatch capabilities by accelerating the development and maturation of innovative technologies that address emerging threats and operational needs.

The EW Enterprise Exploration and Innovation (EW E&I) project is the primary line item under JEAT, with a focus on multi-domain EMSO capabilities, including electronic warfare, sensing, communications, and cyber integration. EW E&I research efforts are targeted at technologies that fall outside the purview of individual military services or are not being developed rapidly enough to meet joint operational requirements. The project leverages joint Communities of Interest (COIs) and collaboration with commercial, academic, federal, and defense sectors to identify, explore, and accelerate promising EW and EW/Cyber technologies, while avoiding redundant efforts across the Department of Defense (DoD).

Key objectives within EW E&I include Passive Sensor Detection and Defeat (PSDD), which aims to counter advanced radar sensing technologies used in modern integrated air defense systems (IADS). PSDD initiatives focus on developing non-kinetic approaches to defeat both active and passive radar systems, enhancing survivability for U.S. platforms against evolving adversary detection and targeting capabilities. In FY 2025, the program will complete the assessment of the SILENT SWARM 24 field experiment and begin planning for SILENT SWARM 25, which are scenario-driven events designed to test and refine new EW technologies in operationally relevant environments.

Another major thrust is Platform Self-Protection (PS-P), which explores RF and electro-optical (EO) technologies to protect U.S. military platforms from advanced sensor and seeker threats. This includes investigating countermeasures against EO and infrared (IR) guided missile seekers and high-energy laser engagement systems. The FY 2025 plan includes the Joint Aircraft Survivability-Electro-optical/Infrared (JAS-EO/IR) Study, which will evaluate and develop new protective measures for aircraft and other platforms.

The Electromagnetic Warfare Technology Enablers (EW Tech) initiative seeks to leverage advances in materials science, electronics, photonics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to enhance EMSO capabilities. These technologies are critical for improving signal classification, adaptive waveform selection, data fusion, and autonomous system control. The program emphasizes the need for U.S. forces to rely on cognitive systems that can respond as quickly as or faster than adversary systems in the dynamic EMOE.

The EW Cyber Interface (EWCI) research area focuses on exploiting the synergies between EW and cyber operations, particularly as the lines between RF and cyber domains blur with the proliferation of networked sensing systems and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. EWCI aims to develop new approaches to impact adversary system logic and enhance non-kinetic effects, ensuring that all avenues of attack, sensing, and protection are considered for U.S. warfighters. The program also supports ongoing efforts in EW Collaboration and Coordination, guiding and overseeing EW and EW/Cyber technology development across the DoD.

Planned activities for FY 2026 include the Silent Chaos event, which will expand operational experimentation with increased participation from the Defense Industrial Base and more robust contested EMSO environments. The Generative Artificial Intelligence for Non-Kinetic Operations (GAOPS) initiative will apply advanced machine learning techniques to multi-service use cases. The classified Infinity project will demonstrate state-of-the-art EMSO command and control capabilities. The budget increase from FY 2025 to FY 2026 will support the development of non-kinetic capabilities for homeland defense, specifically targeting left-of-launch and right-of-launch operational needs.