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Archive for the ‘EW’ Category

Rapid Raven 24-1: Posturing EMS Warfighters for Combat

Sunday, April 7th, 2024

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —  

In order to establish readiness and further operationalize the wing, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing went into a warfighting posture during Rapid Raven 24-1, its first internal exercise designed to test its ability to wage war in the Electromagnetic Spectrum and meet combat requirements and timelines.

“The Air Force can’t succeed in war if our wing can’t execute its mission essential tasks at the speed of relevance,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Josh Koslov, 350th SWW commander. “Rapid Raven wasn’t just an exercise; it was a chance to attack our mission essential tasks as a whole and see what works and what doesn’t.”

During Rapid Raven, the wing challenged its members’ ability to sense and respond to changes in the EMS and rapidly reprogram mission data files (MDF) in a wartime environment, focusing on command-and-control elements.

“In order for us to beat China, we have to be able to do our job in less than three hours,” said Koslov. “It’s an easy thing to say but a harder thing to do. When you start peeling back three hours, what does that actually mean? We addressed that question this week.”

The results from this exercise will inform future tactics, techniques, and procedures in the wing, increasing the speed at which the Air Force can assert spectrum dominance and inform the requirements the wing needs. The exercise also identified requirements needed by the wing to execute its mission at the pace of battle.

“Rapid Raven was able to identify opportunities to go even faster in the future,” said Dylan Duplechain, 350th SWW chief engineer. “With modern, hardened communication pathways to receive and push data, as well as AI/ML [artificial intelligence/machine learning] tools to assist with decision-making, we can further improve warfighting lethality within our current portfolio.”

The exercise simulated 24-hour operations, beginning with the wing receiving an emergency operational change request for updated MDFs based on a new complex emitter, triggering the Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming (EWIR) cycle across squadrons.

“We purposely chose threats in multiple bands [frequency range] that should affect most of the systems, requiring reprogramming,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Ellis, 350th SWW A3 operations director. “It’s about stressing the wing in a combat-representative environment to the point where we’ll learn a lot about our skills to get better and faster.”

Reprogramming, or updating, MDFs is crucial in times of conflict to provide warfighters with data about the electronic landscape, to include latest threat intelligence, that allows aircraft, aircrew, and commanders to sense, identify, locate, and counter threats in the EMS.

Conducting rapid reprogramming of MDFs is paramount to combat the wartime reserve modes for systems and platforms used during conflict or emergencies, a point stressed by U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, during his nomination hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee last September.

“In a high-end fight, warfighters require Spectrum dependent systems to win,” said Allvin. “These systems will operate on frequency bands across the entire Spectrum and are critical in a peer-contested environment. We expect our adversaries to attack across the Spectrum and we must be ready and responsive to that, by training and fighting in all parts of it.”

Throughout the exercise, all members captured data detailing timelines, effective aspects of procedures, and areas that impacted the speed of reprogramming for teams.

The feedback collected from across the wing will drive impactful change, increasing the pace of reprogramming operations and laying out the parameters necessary for the wing to effectively generate combat power through data to the warfighter.

“Data is our weapon and key to defeating any adversary and that’s what Rapid Raven focused on,” said Koslov. “The ability to receive, manipulate and turn that data into a combat capability that the warfighter can take into battle at the speed of relevance is what will allow us to win.”

The wing plans to expand the Rapid Raven exercise and ramp up the intensity and scope for future iterations as it continuously tests its ability to provide EMSO capabilities at a moment’s notice and meet the growing demand for Spectrum capabilities.

“We came to the wing about a year and a half ago and we talked about operationalizing the war fighting mission and war fighting culture,” said Koslov. “It took us a year and a half to build up to what we did this week, and it was awesome. Our Crows really embraced the warfighting culture that we need to beat our adversaries and China.”

At the conclusion of the exercise, the wing came together for an awards ceremony to recognize top performers who embraced the warfighting culture and led the way for reprogramming efforts.

The winners were:
Rapidest Ravens – 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron AV Shop
MVP – 39th Electronic Warfare Squadron EW Help Desk
Perseverance Award – 453d Electronic Warfare Squadron Threat Change Detection Team

By Capt Benjamin Aronson, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Public Affairs

Rohde & Schwarz Brings Cutting-Edge Solutions to Enforce Tac 2024

Monday, February 26th, 2024

Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its innovative portfolio at Enforce Tac 2024. The trade fair is for security agencies and features systems for satellite and cellular network analysis, strategic spectrum surveillance, drone countering, electronic intelligence, communications intelligence and cyber security.

Nuremberg, February 23, 2024 – Rohde & Schwarz is a leading provider of cutting-edge communications and security solutions and is proud to participate in the Enforce Tac 2024 from February 26 to 28. The event is a platform that lets Rohde & Schwarz showcase its latest advancements in monitoring and surveillance technology.

As a trusted partner for regulatory authorities, armed forces, law enforcement and governmental organizations, Rohde & Schwarz is committed to providing state-of-the-art solutions that secure information superiority and provide actionable insight for investigations. At Enforce Tac 2024, the company will present a comprehensive portfolio of turnkey security solutions designed to detect, identify, locate and analyze all communications threats from terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Visitors to the Rohde & Schwarz booth can explore a wide range of innovative products and systems. Highlights include satellite and cellular network analysis solutions, strategic spectrum surveillance capabilities and advanced IP analytics tools. Rohde & Schwarz will also demonstrate its expertise in drone countering, electronic intelligence and communications intelligence.

Visit Rohde & Schwarz at Enforce Tac 2024 to discover the latest advancements in monitoring and surveillance technology. Experts will be available at booth 7-716 for in-depth demonstrations and to answer any questions.

US Army Holds EW Warfighters Forum

Sunday, February 25th, 2024

Last week leaders from across the Cyber, Signal and Intelligence communities participated in the EW Warfighters Forum, at NSA-Georgia, located at Ft Eisenhower.

The event focused on changing Army culture and finding novel solutions to technologically evolve our warfighters. Discussions focused on emerging threats, current and future capabilities and fielding requirements for the Army of 2030.

Allen-Vanguard Awarded Contract to Supply SCORPION ECM Systems to a NATO Ally

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is delighted to announce that it has won a significant contract to supply 68 SCORPION Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems, accessories and spares to a NATO ally. The Allen-Vanguard team will be at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia at stand E38 to discuss all their products.

In addition to the hardware, Allen-Vanguard will also provide various support services, including a Train the Trainer (T3) package, to ensure that end users are fully equipped, trained, and prepared to deploy this vital life-saving capability as needed with full operational autonomy. In line with Allen- Vanguard’s philosophy of developing a full sovereign capability for their clients, the T3 package will ensure that the end user can train and evaluate their own personnel on the SCORPION hardware now and into the future.

Allen-Vanguard is also contracted to support in-country with staged technical support visits, spread out over several years. These visits are to help maintain the hardware and update the software to maximise the protection provided and further develop the technical capabilities of the customer.

The initial operating capability for evaluation and training will be delivered in a matter of weeks with further deliverables later in the year.

With now well over 500 sales globally, SCORPION is deployed protecting troops, NGOs and other government agencies in every continent worldwide. It has a flexible, modular architecture with a wide range of power options, antenna configurations and carriage systems which make it is suitable for a myriad of protection tasks. It delivers a hybrid, full spectrum system with extensive threat band coverage giving it superior usability which, combined with advanced technologies, makes SCORPION the most powerful response to present and future RCIED & Drone threats.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Development Director, Stuart Wilson, said “I am proud that Allen-Vanguard is supporting a key NATO ally with our life-saving SCORPION system. This equipment and the associated support services will ensure that the customer is fully equipped with the best possible capability to address the threats they may face both domestically and abroad. We look forward to working in partnership with the end users into the future to address their needs as they continue to grow and develop this strategic capability.”

Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-85, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024

The US Air Force has published Doctrine Publication 3-85, “Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations.”

Under development since last year, this new doctrine sees the transition of AFDP 3-51, Electromagnetic Warfare and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, to AFDP 3-85, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations.

The document’s forward offers this description of the contents:

“The joint force requires an overmatching, offensive approach to electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) to enhance competitive advantage and create multiple dilemmas for adversaries in all domains. Airmen should develop EMS awareness, engagement, and maneuver capabilities that span and connect all domains and enable successful friendly operations. Dominant EMS expertise and capabilities can render adversary sensors, situational awareness, command and control, networks, and decision processes ineffective, preventing adversaries from attaining their objectives.”

Download at www.doctrine.af.mil.

TacJobs – Program Officer Acquisition with Project Manager Electronic Warfare and Cyber

Tuesday, December 5th, 2023

Project Manager Electronic Warfare and Cyber (PM EW&C) has a job opportunity announcement open on USAJobs for a Program Manager (Program Officer Acquisition), NH-0340-04. This position serves as the Associate Director for the DoD Ground Based CREW Single Manager Program Office at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. This opportunity is open to the public to apply through end of day 05 December 2023.

For additional information and to apply, visit lnkd.in/gqVguzx2.

We just got this, sorry for the short fuse.

Research Consortium Led by Finland-based VTT and Lockheed Martin Will Develop Signals Intelligence Technologies Benefiting the Global Defence Industry

Tuesday, November 28th, 2023

The aim of the cooperation project is to develop methods and technologies for radar and communication signal detection and classification on a modern battlefield, filled with emitters with low-probability of interception and detection signals. The framework agreement, signed on November 21, initiates long-term cooperation between Lockheed Martin, the Finnish research community, and the Finnish industry, creating relationships that benefit all parties. The agreement is connected to Finland’s procurement of the F-35 fighter jets.

ESPOO, Finland (November 22, 2023) Research consortium led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lockheed Martin have finalised a frame agreement for indirect industrial cooperation. Other members of the consortium are defence and technology company Patria, Harp Technologies, a Finnish SME active in space, defence, and remote sensing technologies, and two leading, innovative Finnish universities: Aalto University and the University of Tampere.

Finland is a leading nation of digital technologies. The state-owned VTT, founded more than 80 years ago during World War II to develop the most advanced technologies and products in the world, has previously developed ground-breaking satellite signal technology for the European Space Agency ESA, resulting in the world’s first 75 GHz signals that could ease clutter on the radio waves in the future.

“The purpose of the project is to combine the expertise and technological strengths of different parties, creating highly developed solutions and advanced new expertise that can be applied to the needs of the international defence industry, and to the products of next-generation electronic reconnaissance,” says Sauli Eloranta, Director of Safe and Connected Society Research Area at VTT.

For Finland, the project will also help strengthen the security of supply concerning the country’s own technological expertise and talent. The project will, e.g., help draw new students to study and work with the subject of digital defence technologies, creating a pathway for the new professionals to join both national and international defence industry companies over time.

Through indirect industrial cooperation initiatives, Lockheed Martin will build and benefit from industry partnerships with Finnish companies, universities and colleges, offering opportunities and new avenues to develop and strengthen the cooperation far into the future.

“The cooperation is a significant step for VTT and Finland at large. We are very keen on assessing additional future cooperation opportunities with Lockheed Martin. The technology cooperation offers us an opportunity to continue to develop our strong expertise in defence technologies and to increase cooperation with other defence industry actors,” concludes Eloranta.

The project is expected to last three years. Lockheed Martin and VTT are also looking to sign another framework agreement for a second project focusing on millimeter-wave passive imaging radiometer development during 2023, with the work aiming to start in 2024.

Allen-Vanguard Announces the Production of Its 500th SCORPION Manpack ECM System

Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, has announced the production of its 500th SCOPRION manpack ECM system.

Allen-Vanguard started producing the latest generation of the SCORPION manpack ECM system in 2019. It is the current in a long line of manportable systems from the company going back almost 2 decades. It is perfect for more mobile ECM applications such as protection for troops deployed on the ground or for specialist EOD teams to provide local protection for an operator approaching a suspect device. Most recently it has been effectively deployed in a CUAS role. It is a highly versatile and lightweight man-portable system that capitalizes on a wealth of operational feedback and Allen- Vanguard’s extensive experience in providing highly effective ECM protection from Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) and the growing prominence of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS) aka Drones.

SCORPION is deployed protecting troops, NGOs and other government agencies in every continent worldwide. With its flexible, modular architecture and wide range of power options, antenna configurations and carriage systems it is suitable for a myriad of protection tasks. It delivers a hybrid, full spectrum system with extensive threat band coverage which means it has superior usability, combined with advanced technologies, makes SCORPION the most powerful response to present and future RCIED & Drone threats.

The threat from RCIEDs and UAVs remains extremely high in many historic conflict regions and in new conflicts zones emerging on multiple continents. This combined with the ever-evolving nature of both conventional and asymmetric warfare, means that Allen-Vanguard places a significant focus on research and development to ensure their customers receive the best possible protection. The Allen-Vanguard Threat Management Team (TMT) work tirelessly analysing new waveforms captured by operational systems to update and optimize algorithms specific for each user’s needs and to combat threats specific to the region of operations. In parallel, the development team are working incredibly hard on the next generation of Allen-Vanguard systems which includes their Remote Radio Head, EQUINOX NG-X, and SCORPION-NG. Each of these systems will be the cornerstone capability of their major programmes for man-portable, vehicle and advanced future vehicle capabilities for years to come.

Bobby Strawbridge, Director Business Development for Allen-Vanguard said “I am delighted that we have reached this significant milestone for SCORPION. It is the ultimate versatile ECM protection, packed with all our years of experience and expertise in defeating the RF threat in a manpack form to maximise its flexibility and utility. Whether in a dismounted role, on EOD operations or vehicle mounted for patrol protection or even at a static location countering radio controlled IEDs or nefarious drones, SCORPION is helping to protect those who face the greatest danger all over the world.”