Autonomous, Low-Cost Emitter for Electronic Warfare Training

Programmable radio frequency (RF) training devices are required for providing targets and a contested environment for operational training to replicate real world conditions during tactical operations to include support activities. Any element that uses sensors, receivers, communications devices, other RF devices, navigation equipment, networks and computers require training and developing TTPs in contested environments for both new equipment and sustainment training. The challenge is that US Forces do not possess a low-cost transmitter system for such testing, training, and emulation and higher cost and size, weight, and power (SWAP) capabilities are only available at major training centers. Available systems have excessive SWAP, lack the required fidelity and power output, either do communication or non-communications signals, but not both. Additionally, these systems cost over $50,000 which limits the widespread application across the force for training and testing especially when large numbers of units, networks and devices need to be emulated or tested. Additionally, functions such as the creation of attack vectors, networks of devices, pattern of life, waveforms and content is also a cumbersome and manual process that requires automation. The principal technical challenges for this effort are associated with reducing cost and SWAP, developing approaches for wideband or banded amplifiers and matched antennas, and simplifying use case, scenario, signal, network, and content generation. ĀThe ACG team will develop a design for a low-cost EW training hardware system that will meet or exceed the stated requirements. In addition, ACG will demonstrate a non-hardened prototype during Phase I that will support multiple attack vectors with a programming interface and multiple modes of operation.