BAE Systems unveils DARPA-funded handheld combat technology

The electronic warfare system can detect and identify multiple interfering signals

Through a contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, BAE Systems has developed a new lightweight, handheld tactical sensor that troops can easily carry and use to better understand radio frequency signals for enhanced situational awareness.

By using cognitive processing algorithms, the handheld electronic warfare technology can detect and identify multiple interfering signals, such as jammers or enemy communication signals, across a wide spectrum and in changing and challenging environments. The new capability can be leveraged across multiple platforms and can integrate into a variety of electronic warfare, signals intelligence and signal receiver and communication systems, both large and small.

“By drastically reducing the size, weight and power of this new cognitive EW system, we’re making it easier for our warfighters to be aware of, classify and manage a wide range of signals in the battle space, which is crucial for tactical situational awareness,” said Joshua Niedzwiecki, director of sensor processing and exploitation at BAE Systems. “Better situational awareness on the battlefield means superior protection for our troops and a greater ability to defeat hostile threats.”

The technology was developed under DARPA’s Computational Leverage Against Surveillance Systems program and the Cognitive Radio Low-energy Signal Analysis Sensor Integrated Circuits program.

During recent field tests, BAE said the new technology successfully detected and identified more than 10 signal types across a wide bandwidth in the presence of interference. The company expects to continue to work on the technology for eventual deployment.