Electronic Warfare Development

Mission — Electronic Warfare Development source

This Program Element encompasses engineering and manufacturing development for tactical Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) terrestrial (ground) employment applications. The systems under this program provide the Army with the capability to detect, identify, locate, collect/process, report, and engage (disrupt, degrade or deny) hostile forces to prevent their effective use of communications & non-communications networks, counter-mortar/counter-battery radars, surveillance radars, electronically fused munitions and other enemy threats using the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS). A portion of this funding line is a key enabler of the Army Modernization Priorities in support of Terrestrial Layer System. The remaining portion enables the reprogramming of mission software in response to changes in threat signatures for the Army Reprogramming Analysis Team (ARAT). Project CK3 supports the development of Terrestrial Layer System Echelons Above Brigade (TLS EAB). TLS EAB is a family of systems composed of multiple variants which together provide integrated, distributed Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) cyber-enabled capabilities to Army Divisions, Corps and Multi-Domain Task Forces. TLS EAB provides indications and warnings to influence the commander's decision cycle, improves targeting quality, timeliness and accuracy, and provides electronic attack and offensive cyber warfare options to detect, deny, degrade, disrupt or otherwise manipulate the targeted force. TLS EAB supports Multi Domain Battle capability gaps and provide Force Protection, Situational Development, and Information Superiority to Army Divisions, Corps and Multi-Domain Task Forces. Enables integration, interoperability and force modernization with emerging capabilities in support of USAREUR-AF and USARPAC Operational Needs Statements, Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiatives, and Presidential Directives. Project EW6 provides for the Army Reprogramming Analysis Team (ARAT), a Department of the Army established project to develop techniques, methods, tools and architecture to reprogram mission software embedded in Army EW systems, Force Protection Systems (FPS), and Target Sensing Systems (TSS) in response to changes in threat signatures. ARAT Research and Development enables continuous development of: 1) automated threat analysis tools to rapidly detect (flag) threat changes within intelligence systems, 2) tools to minimize the time to develop EW Mission Software and Products (MSP) for both air and ground EW systems, 3) tools and technology to minimize the time required to test and validate MSPs, 4) improved communications conduits to transmit mission software changes to field users, and 5) enhanced mission-software uploading tools. These efforts allow for rapid threat analysis, simulation, mission software development, distribution and uploading of mission software changes directly to the supported Soldier in the field. The ARAT project will develop, test and equip an Army-wide infrastructure capable of rapidly reprogramming electronic combat software embedded in offensive and defensive weapon systems. Project FJ5 supports the development of the Terrestrial Layer System Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT). TLS BCT is a family of systems that functionally integrates Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems operating within the electromagnetic spectrum to provide Army maneuver forces a competitive advantage. The Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) Manpack system is a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW) collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities within the SIGINT Collection Team (SCT) and Electronic Warfare Team (EWT) elements. The TLS BCT Mounted system is composed of multiple variants which together provide Indications and Warnings, Force Protection, and Situational Awareness to influence the commander's decision cycle, improve targeting timeliness and accuracy, and provide the maneuver commander with electronic attack options to degrade, deny, disrupt, or otherwise manipulate the targeted force. TLS BCT aligns to Army modernization priorities (Long Range Precision Fires, Network, and Soldier Lethality) to field technologically advanced capabilities to prevail in Multi-domain and Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). Enables integration, interoperability and force modernization with emerging capabilities in support of USAREUR-AF and USARPAC Operational Needs Statements, Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiatives, and Presidential Directives. TLS BCT will complete Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping in FY2025 and transition into follow-on programs. The FY 2026 cost of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) - Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $105.6 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — TLS Echelon Above Brigade (EAB) source

This funding line is a key enabler of the Army Modernization Priorities in support of Terrestrial Layer System Echelons Above Brigade (TLS EAB). The TLS EAB will provide Army Divisions, Corps and Multidomain Task Force (MDTF) extended-range ground capability terrestrial sensing, collection, and electromagnetic attack family- of-systems (FoS) providing integrated Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), and cyber-enabled capabilities to support large scale combat operations. The TLS EAB family of systems consists of SIGINT Extended Range (ER), Division SIGINT, and Distributed Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) variants. TLS EAB's information Superiority provides Indications and Warnings, Force Protection and Situational Awareness to influence the commander's decision cycle, improve targeting quality, timeliness and accuracy, and provides electronic attack and offensive cyber warfare options to deny, degrade, disrupt, or otherwise manipulate the targeted force. TLS EAB employs technologically advanced systems with a modular open-system approach for multiple configurations that can be efficiently sustained and effectively upgraded to provide capabilities against evolving near-peer and peer emerging threats to address joint all domain capability gaps. Enables integration, interoperability and force modernization with emerging capabilities in support of USAREUR-AF and USARPAC Operational Needs Statements, Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiatives, and Presidential Directives. The FY 2026 cost of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) - Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $105.6 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission. Justification: Administrative realignment of FY26 RDT&E funds for TLS EAB transferred to Budget Activity 9 (BA-9) 0609277A, Project Code: A81 to the Agile Funding Pilot.

Mission — ARAT-TSS source

Current military operations are conducted in a rapidly changing threat environment, where Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Infra Red (IR) man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) seekers, radar guided surface-to-air-missiles (SAM), laser guided weapons, anti-helicopter mines, and targeting sensors are proliferating and evolving. Integrated solutions are required to counter increasingly sophisticated EW threats. The ARAT reprogramming infrastructure supports the tactical Commander by providing timely rapid reprogramming of mission software and information dissemination for Army supported, Joint and allied services. ARAT supports integrated reprogramming of target acquisition, target engagement, vehicle survivability, and Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE). ARAT rapid-reprogramming infrastructure supports tactical requirements for deployed aircraft and ground-based (e.g. Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (CREW)) survivability systems. ARAT identifies and analyzes threat signature changes which affect EW systems; determines the impact of observed signature changes; develops new mission software to adapt the system to the changes; disseminates the mission software; and provides methods to upload the new mission software into the affected EW systems. Each element within the ARAT infrastructure plays a specific role within the program's rapid reprogramming process, providing the Soldier with the capability to install mission and target identification software at the lowest possible level, thus maximizing flexibility for tactical commanders. ARAT participates in the operational and developmental test design of Army EW systems, and supports Joint Service Reprogramming Exercises in all theaters. ARAT Research and Development enables continuous development of: 1) automated threat analysis tools to rapidly detect (flag) threat changes within the intelligence system, 2) tools to minimize the time to develop Mission Software and Products (MSP), 3) tools and technology to minimize the time required to test and validate MSPs, 4) improved communications conduits to rapidly transmit mission software to upload into supported EW systems. These efforts allow for rapid threat analysis, threat modeling and simulation, mission software development and testing, distribution and uploading of mission software directly to the supported Soldier in the field. Justification:

Mission — Terrestrial Layer System source

Project FJ5 supports the development of the Terrestrial Layer System Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT). TLS BCT is a family of systems that functionally integrates Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) systems operating within the electromagnetic spectrum to provide Army maneuver forces a competitive advantage. The Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) Manpack system is a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW) collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities within the SIGINT Collection Team (SCT) and Electronic Warfare Team (EWT) elements. The TLS BCT Mounted system is composed of multiple variants which together provide Indications and Warnings, Force Protection, and Situational Awareness to influence the commander's decision cycle, improve targeting timeliness and accuracy, and provide the maneuver commander with electronic attack options to degrade, deny, disrupt, or otherwise manipulate the targeted force. TLS BCT aligns to Army modernization priorities (Long Range Precision Fires, Network, and Soldier Lethality) to field technologically advanced capabilities to prevail in Multi-domain and Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). Enables integration, interoperability and force modernization with emerging capabilities in support of USAREUR-AF and USARPAC Operational Needs Statements, Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiatives, and Presidential Directives. TLS BCT will complete Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping in FY2025 and transition into follow-on programs. Justification: Administrative realignment of FY26 RDT&E funds of TLS BCT transferred to Budget Activity 9 (BA-9) 0609277A, Project Code: A82 Terrestrial Layer System to the Agile Funding Pilot. FY 2026 total program amount of $48.009 million will fund TLS Manpack integration and interoperability, TLS BCT vehicle integration and system development, new signal threat integration/signal relevancy, test events and technical support.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (12)