EW Enterprise Exploration and Innovation (EW E&I)
Abstract
Current EW E&I research thrusts include Passive Sensor Detection and Defeat (PSDD), Platform Self-Protection (PS-P), EW Technology Enablers (EW Tech), EW-Cyber Interface (EWCI), and EW Collaboration and Cognizance (EW C&C). Passive Sensor Detection and Defeat (PSDD): Modern integrated air defense systems (IADS) employ a variety of radar sensing technologies to detect, target and engage adversary aircraft. While classic IADS radars emitted radiofrequency radiation and collected the radiation that was reflected off targets within their field of view with the same aperture, computational advances have enabled passive (non-emitting) radar radiation receivers to capture and process the radar radiation reflected off targeted systems that was emitted by other emitters, including those of radars and other emitters of opportunity. Passive radar systems are thus capable of providing targeting solutions to engagement assets (missiles, aircraft, directed energy, etc.) even though they do not emit radar radiation. This makes these systems a much more complex threat to U.S. offensive systems because traditional EW countermeasures such as jamming cannot be employed against these passive radars since they are largely undetected by our radar warning systems. This leaves U.S. aircraft confronted by IADS containing passive sensors vulnerable to unforeseen attacks. PSDD research identifies, explores and accelerates the maturing and demonstration of new technologies to provide defensive capabilities against passive detection/tracking/engagement sensor systems. Platform Self-Protection (PS-P): A wide variety of radiofrequency (RF) and electro-optical (EO) technologies are employed by modern militaries to detect, track, and engage attacking military systems. RF sensor systems including IADS radars, radars on ships, aircraft, ground, and naval vessels, and seekers on ballistic, cruise, air-to-air, surface-to-air missile are used to detect and provide targeting and engagement solutions to counter adversaries’ military systems. EO systems have been incorporated into missile seekers and are also associated with high energy laser engagement systems for the same reasons. To ensure successful U.S. military actions, technologies that protect U.S. platforms and facilities against these new generations of much more capable RF and EO detection/targeting/engagement sensors and seekers are essential. This thrust identifies, explores, and accelerates the maturing and demonstration of new technologies to counter adversaries’ advanced RF and EO sensor and seeker threats. Electromagnetic Warfare Technology Enablers (EW Tech): Significant advances in materials, electronics (including photonics, plasmonics, spintronics, magnetronics, etc.), RF and communications sciences, optical and laser sciences, information and computational sciences, and quantum sciences are enabling new generations of extremely powerful applications in a wide variety of fields. For example, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies are beginning to impact electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) operations. The advantages that AI/ML approaches can provide are considerable, but multiple runs addressing the same scenarios often provide disparate results for both the same assets in the same scenarios and for different assets in different locations within the scenarios. Ascertaining the optimal employment tactics and strategies using AI/ML thus becomes difficult for offensive and defensive operations in both proactive and reactive EW modes. EW Tech research seeks to leverage the latest advances in all of these areas to enable commensurate advances in the EW and EW-Cyber warfighting capabilities. EW-Cyber Interface (EWCI): The ability to impact system logic using EW and other RF systems provides powerful new options for EW application. EWCI research efforts thus identify, explore, and accelerate the maturing and demonstration of new EW-Cyber-related technologies. Significant advances in the application of digital EW have resulted in new generations of threat systems that are challenging the United States' traditional dominance in these areas. EW E&I efforts address these threats and develop new technologies to ensure U.S. warfighters maintain decisive overmatch EW capabilities. EW Collaboration and Cognizance (EW C&C): EW C&C efforts focus on maintaining an awareness of global research and development (R&D) efforts impacting EMS, EW and EW-Cyber warfighting technologies; guiding, facilitating, ensuring the maximum levels of developmental collaboration across DoD; providing Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) oversight of technology development efforts across the DoD EW and EW-Cyber developmental communities; and providing decisional insights to senior leaders and decision-makers so they can more effectively direct all Department EW and EW-Cyber technology development programs and processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- d24b2a514ae3f19241caaf8e51d5d6db