MAF EMCON Mission Assurance System

Principal Investigator:áBrad Mowry Presentation Title:áMAF EMCON Mission Assurance Systemá??????? Technical Abstract: In the INDOPACOM region, the Mobility Air Forces (MAF) will confront the ôtyranny of distanceö and conduct operations in contested airspace against near peer adversaries. Todayĺs Radio Frequency (RF) rich MAF aircraft will require a greater focus on Operational Security (OPSEC) and Emissions Control (EMCON). This proposal focuses on providing a portable, self-contained ability to monitor aircraft RF emissions during training and validate EMCON posture during operational missions.áá INDOPACOM distances make airborne logistics challenging.ááMAF units will fly into contested airspace within the first island chain and face a 360-degree threat that includes ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, long-range drones, fighter aircraft, and surface threats.ááTight EMCON procedures allow aircrew to reduce aircraft detection, providing a major operational advantage.ááAircrew must be trained to properly employ EMCON procedures and completely control RF emissions.ááTodayĺs MAF aircraft have a myriad of complex RF emitting systems from HF through VHF, UHF, L-Band, S-Band and into X-Band.ááMany of these systems are complex with standby modes that still ôpingö to the outside world.ááTransmissions from any one of these systems can be exploited and compromise the mission.ááMultiple MAF subject matter experts have expressed interest in having a piece of equipment to confirm their EMCON status. For this SBIR, AW will integrate commercial components to produce a portable RF spectrum scanner to detect and classify own ship emissions using digital signal processing.ááEM Check will be compact enough to fit into a flight suit pocket and will present emissions data through a simplified user interface.ááDuring flight, EM Check is placed on the glareshield or console to confirm that own ship RF emissions conform to the EMCON posture.ááThe device scans radio frequency ranges and flags onboard systems actively transmitting.ááEM Check will support EMCON training as well as monitor EMCON status on operational missions. This SBIR will advance the Phase I concept demonstrator to Phase II flight tested production representative prototypes. Scalable manufacturing processes will allow rapid transition to Phase III commercialization and fielding to the warfighter.