Retrodirective Arrays for Coherent Transmission (ReACT)
Abstract
Worldwide advancements in signal processing and electronics have decreased the effectiveness of single-platform, power-based Electronic Warfare (EW) as a viable technique in the future. The goal of the Retrodirective Arrays for Coherent Transmission (ReACT) program is to develop and to demonstrate the capability to combine distributed mobile transmitters to provide high-power spatially resolved EW beams at frequencies utilized by adversary communications and radars. ReACT will achieve this capability by synchronizing multiple distributed transmitters to form a much larger effective array than a single platform could support. The key technical challenge is to synchronize distributed and moving transmitters while compensating for platform motion and vibration. Further, the ReACT system must sense the target's emissions and then optimally configure the ReACT transmitters to focus on the area to be jammed, as well as the minimum power required to sufficiently jam the target. The ReACT program builds upon technology developed under the Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) program, which is budgeted in PE 0602716E, Project ELT-01, and will culminate with a flight demonstration of distributed EW beamforming. The ReACT technology is planned to transition to the Air Force and Navy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 26b7f8216730fde349dfbe4d9b1056c8