This initiative is focused on several key technological areas, including signal processing algorithms for radars, countermeasures against modern emitters, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI)
The U.S. Navy is turning to industry experts to advance the field of electronic warfare (EW) and radio frequency (RF) surveillance. Recently, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., released a broad agency announcement (N0001424SBC10) inviting proposals for the “Enabling Technologies for Electronic Warfare and RF Surveillance” project.
This initiative is focused on several key technological areas, including signal processing algorithms for radars, countermeasures against modern emitters, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance modeling and simulations. Additionally, the Navy is exploring techniques to repair and restore signals affected by frequency-selective limiters, develop counter-electro-optical sensors, and rapidly integrate emerging technologies into existing EW and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) frameworks.
One primary area of interest is the development of signal processing algorithms for radar systems. The Navy is looking for algorithms that can achieve real-time processing by reducing hardware and software latencies. The goal is to create efficient algorithms that can be effectively implemented in hardware, particularly for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. These could include maritime ground moving target indication, interferometric SAR, polarimetric SAR, or tomographic SAR.
Real-time radar signal and image processing has traditionally been a costly endeavor, but advancements in software-defined radio and edge processing technologies offer the potential to create affordable, lightweight radar systems. These systems could be especially valuable for applications such as unmanned aircraft, where size and weight are critical considerations.
Another focus is on developing EW techniques that can counter modern emitters by enabling a distributed network of EW systems to respond adaptively to complex threats. Additionally, the Navy is interested in generative AI that can create complex modeling and simulation scenarios. Such algorithms would help military platforms detect and classify RF transmissions more effectively.
The project also seeks methods for repairing and restoring signals that have been distorted by frequency-selective limiters. The aim is to develop a receiver module capable of adaptively correcting these distortions, ensuring more reliable signal reception in challenging environments.
Counter-electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) concepts are another area of exploration. The Navy is seeking non-traditional solutions to counter emerging EO/IR imaging sensor threats. The goal is to deceive and deny imaging sensors without relying on brute force techniques.
Finally, the Navy is looking to create a dynamic, composable architecture that can rapidly integrate new EW and counter-ISR technologies. This flexible framework would allow the Navy to quickly adapt to evolving threats and incorporate the latest advancements in EW and ISR capabilities.
The ONR’s call for industry participation highlights the Navy’s commitment to staying at the forefront of electronic warfare and RF surveillance technology, ensuring that U.S. military forces remain prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
