BAE Systems to innovate electronic warfare jamming technology

Land November 15, 2019

BAE Systems has been awarded research and development funding through the US Army to create an advanced radar jamming technology.

The technology aims to improve air survivability and mission effectiveness for US Army rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by detecting and defeating complex and unknown threats in electronic combat.

As part of the contract, BAE Systems FAST Labs research and development team will design technology to integrate adaptive radio frequency jamming and sensing capabilities into one system.

Whereas today’s electronic countermeasure systems are too bulky and heavy for most rotary-wing and UAS platforms, BAE Systems technology will combine multiple, software-programmable antennas into a digital phased array that will enable simultaneous functions, exceeding existing capabilities while reducing the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of current systems. The technology will enable these platforms to safely fly closer to threats and within contested areas while remaining protected.

Chris Rappa, Product Line Director for Radio Frequency, Electronic Warfare, and Advanced Electronics at BAE Systems FAST Labs, said: “With the continuously evolving threat landscape, it’s critical to provide the next-generation of digital phased array technology to better defend our armed forces in electronic warfare.

“Our technology will give the Army’s rotary-wing aircraft and UAS a new, low SWaP system to securely and drastically increase their range of movements in future missions.”