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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Uing IO Range to improve network warfare training in exercise

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- For the first time exercise participants were provided a realistic picture of the results of a network attack on an adversary during a Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment earlier this month.

The 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and its Detachment 2 at Nellis AFB, Nev., both apart of the Air Force Information Operations Center, in coordination with the 505th Combat Training Squadron, Joint Information Operations Warfare Command and the Joint Information Operations Range, built an environment to capture network warfare effects on a computer network range and transfer the effects into a model simulating the adversary's communications networks.

"This is the first time effects from a live network attack were transferred without any manual intervention, creating a more realistic environment for the exercise participants," said Scott Tucker, 453rd EWS technical integrator. 

The 91st Network Warfare Squadron conducted a live-fire attack against a target computer network provided by the 346th Test Squadron at Lackland AFB that represented an adversary.

The effect of that attack was translated, machine-to-machine, to the simulation environment provided by the 505th CTS at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance sensors modeled in that environment detected the effect and transmitted intelligence messages to the Air and Space Operations Center at Barksdale AFB, La., to show the Joint Forces Air Component commander and his staff the effectiveness of the network attack and allow them to respond accordingly.

Historically, network warfare activities have been exercised on networks with no connectivity to other environments because of classification and security issues.

"We took advantage of the emerging (Joint Information Operations Range) to bring these networks together," said James Hird, Detachment 2 technical advisor. "Detachment 2 and the 453rd EWS were instrumental in coordinating with the participating organizations and models to understand and implement the next step of translating the effects of a micro-level network attack into a macro-level event."

JEFX is a large scale exercise that integrates innovations in organization, tools and processes to improve the warfighting capability which provided an ideal arena to test this new capability.

"As a result of the success we achieved, there is a great deal of optimism that the lessons learned during JEFX can be leveraged for future events," said Mr. Hird. "The key is to have the capability to bring the network warfare training audiences seamlessly into established exercises with the type of integrated training environment demonstrated at JEFX."

Detachment 2 is currently in the process of working with the Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M. to introduce this type of training into future exercises.

See original story at http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123096228

Performance Based Logistics (PBL) for the Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS) used on the F-15 Aircraft

A sources sought synopsis/market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for Performance Based Logistics (PBL) for the TEWS on the F-15 aircraft.  The level of security clearance is secret with technical data distribution authorized to Department of Defense and US DoD contactors.  This acquisition does involve technology that has a military or space application.  The only US contractors who may participate are those that are certified and registered with DLSC (1-800-352-3572) and have a legitimate business purpose.  Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards.  The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.  An Industry Day and Risk Assessment Workshop will potentially be held in June for this requirement.  Please respond to this SSS in accordance with instructions contained in the Capability Survey at the following website not later than 23 May 2008:

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a275d2dc9a8391a2e13048b6c2d942f5&tab=core&_cview=0

Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A99633768-da1e-4731-aa59-6a707691186f

...

The Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, under development to meet an order from Pakistan, looks like the S100B Argus, in service for ten years in Sweden, but it's almost completely new. It is based on the bigger and faster Saab 2000. The radar array looks the same, but has new-generation transmit-receive modules that pump out 60 per cent more power.

With a bigger cabin and five operator stations, the 2000 AEW is a self-contained command and control platform (the S100B radar is operated from the ground). Its Saab Avitronics HES-21 electronic warfare suite provides electronic support measures (ESM) functions to detect and identify targets, and a strong self-protection capability with missile approach warning functions, active jamming and a truckload of chaff and flare cartridges.

Installation of the self-defense system reflects the fact that the AEW aircraft is a high-value asset which could be targeted by terrorists or special forces as well as by hostile fighters and ships, and that its missions today - counter-drug or counter-piracy operations, coalition battles, or air cover for civilian events or high-level conferences - can take it almost anywhere...

E-warfare lessons learned

http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/46125-1.html

The Army’s Combined Arms Center is building a database of lessons learned to help soldiers defend the Army’s networks and information technology systems from cyberattacks, according to the director of the Army’s Computer Network Operations and Electronic Warfare Proponent.

The Army is collecting a database of best practices for conducting information warfare from soldiers in the field or as they return from deployments and is working in cooperation with the Marine Corps to include lessons learned from its closest counterpart in the Defense Department...

The Army formed its computer network operations and electronic warfare component seven months ago to document best practices in how the Army defends its own networks and IT systems from attack and launches attacks of its own against enemies’ systems or exploits weaknesses in their cyberdefenses, Parks said...

Monday, April 28, 2008

Massachusetts presses for enhanced Hanscom role for AF Cyber Command

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/27/state_presses_for_enhanced_hanscom_role/

In 1995 and 2005, Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford was in the crosshairs of the Pentagon's review of installations across the country to be closed. But each time, the 840-acre Bedford base, known for its electronic warfare systems development work, escaped from being shuttered.

Massachusetts officials, the state's congressional delegation, and executives from the private sector are waging a lobbying campaign to have the air base become the headquarters of the Air Force's new Cyber Command, unveiled last September and charged with devising tamper-proof computer networks. The provisional command is at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La...

But giving the green light to Hanscom for the command center would go a long way toward protecting the base if another base closure commission is formed, said Quenneville and James P. Regan, vice chairman of the high technology council and chief executive of Dynamics Research Corp., an Andover-based defense contractor.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Develop New SIGINT Capability for the Predator MQ-1 and MQ-9 Reaper UAS

Northrop Grumman news release:

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 22, 2008 - Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center for the development and flight-testing of a signals intelligence sensor payload for the U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and for the preliminary design of an expanded sensor package for the MQ-9 Reaper UAS.

Under this 18-month, cost-plus-incentive fee contract valued at $54.9 million, Northrop Grumman will develop and flight-test the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload 1C (ASIP-1C) sensor on the MQ-1. The sensor is scheduled to complete factory tests in December, complete flight tests in May 2009, and achieve operational fielding in 2010. Northrop Grumman will develop a preliminary design for an expanded ASIP-2C version of the sensor to provide a signals intelligence capability for the MQ-9 as part of the contract.

"With this award, we will deliver a new capability that leverages the Air Force's prior investment on the basic ASIP program -- not just in development savings through product reuse but also savings through common production, logistics support, sustainability and sensor upgrades," said Imad Bitar, vice president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector's Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory business unit. "ASIP is also the foundation for the U. S. Army's Guardrail modernization signals intelligence upgrade. We see significant savings and risk reduction when common sensor capabilities are fielded on different operational platforms."

ASIP-1C will be a scaled, modular derivative of the ASIP sensor developed for the U-2 and Global Hawk platforms and will be interoperable with other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. The ASIP-1C sensor will reuse the approved Air Force ground station and security interfaces developed for the basic ASIP program. ASIP-1C will deliver enhanced communications intelligence collection and exploitation capabilities in support of Predator's tactical warfighting role, sometimes described as a hunter/killer/scout mission. The system will allow Predator to rapidly employ this critical information in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

The ASIP-1C and -2C sensors will be part of a System-of-Systems development program involving multiple Air Force and industry organizations. The ASIP industry team includes Northrop Grumman as prime contractor for sensor development; General Atomics, San Diego, for the MQ-1 and MQ-9 platforms; and Raytheon Company, Waltham, Mass., for the ground station interface.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Russia 'shot down Georgia drone'

From BBC:

A Russian fighter jet has shot down an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft over the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, Georgian authorities say.

See video of shootdown here:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7358761.stm

See rest of article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7358761.stm

Monday, April 14, 2008

Terma Banks on U.S. ALQ-213 Processor Upgrade Program

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A494ec86b-41fe-4912-b8b5-13affd92f209

Danish aerospace and defense firm Terma is going ahead with the development of a key processor upgrade for its AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare countermeasures management system, expected to benefit hundreds of A-10As and pre-Block 40 F-16C/Ds in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.

The $11-million development work is done with Georgia Tech Research Institute of Atlanta, Georgia as prime contractor and Terma North America, operating out of Warner-Robins, Georgia, as the main subcontractor.

According to Steen Lynenskjold, Senior Vice President of Terma's Air Systems division, the customer for the AN/ALQ-213 Processor Upgrade ("APU") is the U.S. Air Force Warner Robins Air Logistics Center...

ITT awarded $45M mod to JCREW 2.1 contract

ITT Communications & Countermeasures Systems, Thousand Oaks, Calif. is being awarded a $45,194,148 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-07-C-6311 for the production and support of 586 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems to meet urgent Department of Defense (DoD) requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity.

Larsen Makes Earmark Requests Public - Electronic Warfare projects included

To provide constituents with more information about his efforts to secure federal funding for 2nd District priorities, Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) has made public the list of earmarks he has requested for Fiscal Year 2009...

The following are some of those earmarks:

$4,500,000 for Electronic Warfare Associates to supplement joint electronic warfare training efforts at NAS Whidbey for service members across all the Armed Services;

$7,374,000 for Agilent Technologies to develop technology to help protect our troops in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan;

$6,200,000 for Alliant Techsystems, Inc. to upgrade the Navy’s electronic warfare capabilities which will help the Prowler and future Growler communities at NAS Whidbey.

See the full list at: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wa02_larsen/PR_040408_Earmark_Transparency.shtml

Modification to AFRL BAA for "Information Warfare: Offensive and Defensive Counterinformation"

The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating all previous modifications, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following change: Increases the total funding for the BAA. No other changes have been made.

It is recommended white papers be received by 1 May 08. White papers will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on 31 December 2009, but it is less likely that funding will be available after the date cited.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

INFORMATION WARFARE: AFRL/IF is soliciting white papers to identify and develop technologies to enable a distributed information infrastructure that provides all the mechanisms and services required to allow the warfighters to craft their C4I information environments, including ability to establish distributed virtual staffs, to share a common consistent perception of the battlespace, and construct distributed task teams among sensors, shooters, movers, and command posts. These technologies will be applied across the full spectrum of cyber operations, in support of Air Force mission requirements. Specific technologies include, but are not limited to: network protocols, information adaptation, network management, routing technologies, adaptive interfaces, distributed information environments, multimedia services, adaptive security services, global resource management, architectures, computer and network risk assessment/management, vulnerability assessment, assurance techniques, detection of intrusions and misuse, network security, wireless information assurance, assessment of information damage, cyber forensics, recovery of information systems and computer networks to operational levels, and a full spectrum of active response and computer network attack techniques.

Information superiority is an integral part of air and space superiority, an Air Force doctrine. This gives the commander freedom from attack, the freedom to maneuver and the freedom to attack. Information superiority is that degree of information advantage of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations at a given time and place without prohibitive opposition. Information operations are not focused exclusively on information superiority and information operations alone is not sufficient to achieve information superiority. AFRL/IF has developed a responsive R&D technology program to help the US achieve information superiority. The technology research in this BAA will be focused in the following areas of information operations: influence operations, network warfare operations and electronic warfare operations.

Influence Operations: Focused on affecting the perceptions and behaviors of leaders, groups, or entire populations. Influence operations employ capabilities to affect behaviors, protect operations, communicate commander's intent and project accurate information to achieve desired effects across the cognitive domain. These effects should result in differing objectives. The military capabilities of influence operations are psychological operations, military deception, operations security, counterintelligence operations, counterpropoganda operations and public affairs operations.

Network Warfare Operations: The integrated planning, employment, and assessment of military capabilities to achieve desired effects across the interconnected analog and digital network portion of the battle space. Network warfare operations are conducted in the information domain through the combination of hardware, software, data and human interaction. The operational activities of network warfare operations are network attack, network defense and network warfare support.

Electronic Warfare Operations: The integrated planning, employment, and assessment of military capabilities to achieve desired effects across the electromagnetic domain in support operational objectives.

The objective of this BAA is to address highly innovative R&D areas in information operations. Proposed work should address the innovative and strategic thought of the 21st century adversary, and develop new concepts to counter with innovative information-based capabilities. Further, proposed work should address new concepts for continuously analyzing the information battle space to identify US vulnerabilities and adversary weaknesses, and develop new defensive and offensive strategies and capabilities accordingly.

There are critical technical areas of focus under this BAA which are high leverage areas to be worked in order to address the most difficult Air Force requirements, provide the Air Force with the greatest technology push possible, and surface opportunities for contributing to important national security issues such as defending information systems and countering cyber terrorism.

Network Attack: Employment of network-based capabilities to destroy, disrupt, degrade, deny, delay, corrupt or usurp information resident in or transiting through networks. A primary effect is to influence the adversary commander's decisions.

Network Defense: Employment of network-based capabilities to defend friendly information resident in or transiting through networks against adversary efforts to destroy, disrupt, degrade, deny, delay, corrupt or usurp it. Actions include analyzing network activity to determine the appropriate course of action to protect, detect, and react to internal and external threats to Air Force networks.

Network Warfare Support: The collection and production of network related data for immediate decisions involving network warfare operations. Specifically, network warfare support provides profiling, event analysis, open source review, as well as pattern analysis in support of network defense and countermeasure development.

II. AWARD INFORMATION:

Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49.9M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY 06 - $13M; FY 07 - $13M; FY 08 - $13M; and FY09 - $10.9M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 24 months with dollar amounts ranging between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per year. Awards of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions depending upon the nature of the work proposed.

See full announcement at https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=c5326f373c3ed81fcb2534a2577c7fb5&_cview=0.

Pre-solicitation Conference (Industry Day) for AN/SLQ-32(V) Surface Electronic Warfare (EW) System Block 2 Upgrade

Naval Sea Systems Command, Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems, Above Water Sensors (PEO IWS 2E) will be hosting a Pre-solicitation Conference (Industry Day). The intent of the Industry Day is to provide additional information on the potential AN/SLQ-32(V) Surface Electronic Warfare (EW) System Block 2 Upgrade. Further, the contents of the Draft AN/SLQ-32(V) Surface Electronic Warfare (EW) System Block 2 Upgrade Statement of Objectives (UNCLAS) and the Draft Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Increment II Capabilities Development Document (CDD) (SECRET) will be discussed. The Navy may also address questions and comments submitted under the terms of Pre-solicitation notice N0002408R5372 and modifications 1 and 2.

The Industry Day will take place on Wednesday 23 April, 0800 to 1600 EDT, at the Naval Research Laboratory (Building 226). Visit requests must be received by COB, 16 April 2008.

Further details can be found at https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=0fc2ac71a343f3479d10da9b6ebb71d6&_cview=0.

DARPA Soliciting Innovative Directed Energy Systems for Military Missions

The Tactical Technology Office (TTO) of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting abstracts (white papers) and proposals for advanced research and development of Innovative Systems for Military Missions.

One of the five (5) Mission Thrust Areas being pursued is Directed Energy.

According to the solicitation, directed energy continues to be an area of interest for TTO for a number of reasons, including the ability to provide speed of light and ultra-precise effects that enable rapid prosecution of time-sensitive-targets with minimal collateral damage. TTO is currently developing solid state laser weapon systems that are intended to be suitable for use on a wide variety of air and groundbased tactical platforms.

TTO continues to be interested in novel subsystems and technologies that can improve the performance, reliability, and utility of laser weapons in the battlespace; enhance system integration potential through decreased size, weight, and power consumption; and accelerate the deployment of laser weapons into the inventory. A representative, but not exhaustive, list of technology areas which support the advancement of laser directed energy weapon system capabilities includes: efficient and lightweight power and thermal management; advanced beam control to improve laser energy on target in challenging environments; lightweight and aerodynamically efficient beam directors; beam directors that are compatible with low observable aircraft; mitigation of aero-optic effects; optical stabilization in high vibration environments; system reliability enhancements; efficient and modular packaging schemes; and integration with advanced search and track and targeting sensors and algorithms.

TTO also remains interested in radio-frequency directed energy weapons. Achieving counterelectronics effects at long range from fighter-sized aircraft or cruise missiles is desired.

TTO is interested in non-lethal hardware disablement technologies applicable to maritime platforms. Within the area of high power microwaves, systems capable of real-time standoff interrogation and identification of specific pulse parameters to maximize target coupling and effect are desired.

TTO is interested in lightweight, high power generation systems for directed energy weapons.

Download full solicitation at: https://www.fbo.gov/files/dc0/dc04ee9baef7ca75740c0a7683394a06.pdf?i=52f08dde963834521964fcae71f7108e.

Technology Days for "Tiger Hunter" Airborne Stand-in Jammer, 7-8 May 2008

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division is interested in receiving white papers which offer technically mature systems, sub-systems, components, algorithms, and/or technologies for use as a Stand In Jammer against surface to air missile systems. All interested sources are encouraged to submit company and product literature, references and any other pertinent information for the Governments consideration. The following topics are areas of current interest:

(a) Electronic Warfare Payload consisting of jammer effective against newer coherent surface to air missile systems. Payload will also consist of EW receiver system with required sensitivity/selectivity to be an effective detection receiver at tactically useful ranges. RF up/down conversion, processor, amplifier(s), antenna(s), etc. required.

(b) Processing software required to complete stand in jamming mission in stressing RF environment. An example might be autonomous operation that requires geolocation, classification and prioritization of target threats prior to jamming. Software/firmware required to effectively use DRFM against threats of interest also required.

(c) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with approximately 500 nmi radius, 1 hour on station time, survivable (e.g. reduced Radar Cross Section) when not jamming during ingress/egress. Launch and recover afloat and ashore. Suitable size, weight and power for EW Payload, data links, navigation system, etc. Common Control Station interface desired.

(d) Suitable communications links, Beyond line of sight (e.g. SATCOM) and survivable (e.g. Low Probability of Intercept, LPI) line of sight links.

(e) Mission planning systems, compatibility with existing JMPS desired.

Vendors may provide information on all or a subset of the above areas. Vendors wishing to propose only to the UAS may use an estimate of 30 lbs, 250 watts, and 1.5 cubic feet for EW payload requirements but these numbers are subject to change depending on EW payload designs.

Desired discussion areas include elements of cost, schedule, performance, risk, component technical readiness level (TRL) rating, required GFE/GFI, Government and vendor teaming and cost sharing during initial integration phase.

NSWC Crane will be hosting a Technology Day on 7 and 8 May 2008 in order to provide interested industry partners an opportunity to ask questions and provide input, prior to the date for white paper submissions. The event location will be Building 3330 South, Conference Rooms A and B, Crane, Indiana. The meeting will commence at 0900 EST each day with a SECRET/NOFORN Government presentation of required capabilities. Due to space constraints vendors are limited to 3 individuals per team. Following the Government presentation, interested vendors will be allocated approximately 30 minutes to present technical briefs of their approach and capabilities. Marketing briefs are not required or desired. It is anticipated that members of the Applied Physics Lab will be in attendance on the Government team.

Additionally, the date for complete, fully refined data packages has been extended to 30 May 2008.

See full announcement at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=f8cb45e1621639488a83efbd9eff34e6&_cview=0&cck=1&au=&ck=.

MODIFICATION - SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TECHNOLOGIES FOR USE AS STAND IN JAMMER SYSTEM

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVSEA/N00164/N0016408RWR05/listing.html

Hizbullah: Has Israel Met Its Match?

On January 31, 2008, when the Winograd Commission submitted its final report on the Second Lebanese War of July 2006, this was a first in Israeli history: a report on why the Israeli military had failed in a war...

Ever since their withdrawal from southern Lebanon in April 2000, the Israeli leadership had prepared for the occasion to deal a knockout blow to Hizbullah. Indeed, when the Israelis launched their latest invasion of Lebanon on July 12 2006, they had had more than six years to prepare; and they had had more than two decades to study their adversary.

The Hizbullah too had prepared. Without fanfare, but with dedication, discipline, skill, and cunning, the Hizbullah leaders assembled an arsenal of low-tech rockets as well as more advanced missiles; they built secret bunkers; they laid out defensible communications; they acquired capabilities in electronic warfare; they used drones and eaves-dropping equipment to gather information; they placed spies inside Israel; they studied their enemy; and, most importantly, they had planned and trained, while maintaining the highest secrecy. In a word, the small bands of Arab guerillas in southern Lebanon were prepared and ready...

In July 2006, agility and cunning favored the Hizbullah. Consider the victories that Israel failed to score against this tiny but agile foe: it failed to destroy or jam Hizbullah’s communications network; to knock out Hizbullah’s television and radio stations; to kill or capture Hassan Nasrallah; or to dent Hizbullah’s ability to launch Katyusha rockets into Israel...

The Hizbullah scored its most impressive military victory in the area of intelligence. Israel's electronic warfare systems are amongst the most advanced in the world; they are war-tested and developed in cooperation with the United States. Indeed, the Israeli commanders were certain at the outset of the war of their ability to jam Hizbullah communications. They were wrong. Hizbullah’s command and control system remained operational throughout the war; they evaded Israeli jamming devices by using fiber optic lines instead of relying on wireless signals.

The Hizbullah had blocked the Barak anti-missile system on Israeli ships; hacked into Israeli battlefield communications in order to monitor Israeli tank movements; and, they monitored cell phone conversations in Hebrew between Israeli reservists and their families. They intercepted Israeli military communications on battlefield casualties and announced them on their media network. They successfully employed decoys to hide the location of hundreds of bunkers they had built in southern Lebanon to store weapons and shelter their fighters. As a world leader in weapons technology and communications, Israel had held a decisive advantage in electronic warfare in its wars with Arab armies. In July 2006, the Hizbullah had neutralized this advantage...

See full article at http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/51161.

Raytheon's MALD Decoys Gaining Versatility

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Raytheons-MALD-Decoys-Gaining-Versatility-04844/

The Bosnian “Nighthawk Down” incident in 1999 showed that even old air defense systems could still be dangerous, and that smart tactics and selective use could keep those systems alive against heavy opposition. The challenge is finding them and targeting them. Against truly advanced air defense systems like the Russian S-20 family, however, the challenge is survival. Advanced stealth technologies, advanced anti-radar weapons, and successful electronic jamming are required.

Air-launched decoys help, too...MALD has changed over its program lifespan...One obvious use is to install radar jamming equipment, instead of radar reflecting equipment...The USAF wants to explore those possibilities, and Raytheon recently received a 2-year, $80 million U.S. Air Force contract for MALD-J Phase II risk reduction...production is expected in early 2011.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Aeronix Compact, Mobile Platforms Power Detection, Tracking And Identification Of Pulsed RF Signals

http://aeronix.org/products/electronic_support_measures

Aeronix's modular Electronic Support Measures (ESM) products are used in airborne, ground, and shipborne monitoring systems around the world. These industry-leading products are designed to perform highly accurate detection, tracking, and identification of pulsed RF signals...

Instantaneous Frequency Measurement Receiver (IFM)/ Digital Frequency Discriminator (DFD)

http://www.filss.com/subsyst/ifm_dfd.shtml

Sage Laboratories produces a wide range of instantaneous frequency measurement products tailored to the requirements of state of the art EW receivers. High speed frequency measurement is achieved either by discrimination or channelization or a combination of the two techniques. Sage's proprietary Suspended Substrate Stripline (SSS) technology is used together with custom Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processing circuits to ensure high reproducibility, small size and low cost.

The use of high speed microwave frequency measurement products in EW equipment is becoming increasingly important as the complexity of the signal environment continues to increase. Sage's Digital Frequency Discriminators (DFD) are available in a wide range of designs offering coverage of either specific frequency bands or full 2-18 GHz coverage in a single unit. Units with frequency resolution of up to 14 bits have been produced.

DFDs find applications in both low cost RWRs (to enhance the identification of threat signals against dense non threat background signals) and sophisticated ESM and ECM receivers, where high probability of intercept and high resolution are required to enable pulse by pulse signal de-interleaving...

Laser dazzling of infrared focal plane array cameras

http://spie.org/x23647.xml?highlight=x2412

High-intensity irradiance effects have been evaluated as a countermeasure against detection and tracking with infrared camera systems. Modern weapons systems often use infrared imaging for acquisition and tracking of targets. In the acquisition phase, the operator uses the system to detect the target and aim the weapon. In the tracking phase, the images from the camera are used to guide the weapon to the target. One possible method of protection against such imaging systems is laser dazzling. The intended effect is to deny the imager a clear view of the target by saturating the detector and consequently preventing the weapon from making a hit.

The problem of locating the threat and pointing the laser at it is closely connected to the countermeasure effectiveness. This has been investigated particularly for specific applications such as directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) systems for aircraft self-protection. Another application is sniper detection, which uses the ‘cat's-eye’ or retro-reflection effect, which occurs when a searching laser beam is directed at the visor of the rifle. We currently aim to use the retro-reflection effect in a wider range of applications for locating optics.

The aim of our dazzling work is to quantify the effects of laser countermeasures on mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imaging to predict the decrease in the detection and pointing capabilities of weapons systems. Dazzling with a continuous or quasi-continuous pulsed laser causes a reversible saturation effect on the detector array. Most of the current MWIR lasers provide output power levels that do not exceed saturation levels for practical applications. Permanent damage effects require much higher irradiance levels at the camera front optics. This might be within reach at shorter ranges with these lasers, but is not addressed in our current research...

GenCOM Suite SIGINT Software

Genesis EW specializes in software solutions for the Electronic Warfare industry.  Genesis EW’s suite of Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) products provide a decision support platform for the modern battlefield by automatically generating an accurate and comprehensive situational awareness picture...

http://www.ewgenesis.com/

Brochure for GenCOM Suite software bundle:

http://www.epicos.com/WARoot/News/GenCOM.pdf

Microwaves, Lasers, Retired Generals For Sale

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2005/10/microwaves_lasers_retired_gene.html

Friend's tell me that this week's Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition at the Washington Convention Center was all that an orgy of self-congratulation can be. Contractors galore, beltway bandits, luncheons, awards, howitzers, all topped off with a speech by Dick Cheney.

The buzz on the floor was "directed energy" laser, high-powered microwaves, and acoustic weapons that are getting a boost from the prolonged fighting in Iraq.  Supporters are hoping that these new exotic technologies will help in the battle against improvised explosive devices and in countering snipers and hidden insurgents.

Directed energy is also the star of this week's Air Force Futures Game 05, being held at Booz Allen Hamilton in Herndon. The game, which posits a major war in the 2025 time frame, has high powered microwave and laser weapons zapping the bad guys....

IED and RF Jammer systems for RCIED Jamming, Radio Jamming and Cellular Jamming

http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/jamming/homeland-security/

Homeland Security Strategies (HSS) builds IED jammer and RF jammer countermeaures. IED jammers and RF jammers help defend against Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) threats...

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Interview - Major General William T. Lord Commander Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional)

Interview theme is "Preparing Combat Forces for the Electromagnetic Spectrum" and can be read in full at: http://www.military-information-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=2395.

Excerpt: 

Q: How will you build upon the Air Force’s resources in the area of electronic warfare?

A: We have some wonderful capabilities, but they have languished, largely because of budget concerns. I hope I can bring initiatives to modernize and improve our EW capabilities to the Air Force’s corporate structure for funding as capabilities under the cyberspace rubric. I’m excited about being able to help our EW warriors to modernize their capabilities.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

COL Wayne Parks "Information as Combat Power" audio interview

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/PentagonRadioNetwork/bloggersroundtable/2008/04/08/Information-and-Cyberspace-Information-as-Combat-Power

Show Name:  Information and Cyberspace; Information as Combat Power 

Date/Time:  4/8/2008 10:30:00 AM 

Show Length:  48 minutes

Show Description:  Interview with Colonel Wayne A. Parks, Director, Computer Network Operations Proponent, Electronic Warfare Proponent and also TRADOC Capabilities Manager for Electronic Warfare Integration at the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS.


Tuesday, April 8, 2008

BAE Systems to hire up to 150 this year

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=BAE+Systems+reaches+far+beyond+NH&articleId=6130442e-e705-4aa8-a813-c00f7a3682fd

BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions, which is based in Nashua, looks to hire another 100 to 150 employees this year, about 3 percent growth, its president said in a recent interview.

"At the business unit level, the operating group will probably grow a little bit better than the market is doing right now and our competitors, so we're pretty confident that we'll do very well," Michael A. Heffron, who is based in Nashua, said.

"Last year, for example, we finished our year with an 8.3 percent top line (revenue) growth, and we're hopeful that we continue that," he said during a visit to the New Hampshire Union Leader offices.

The new jobs will be a mix of engineers, business people and support staff, he said...

Navy Pushing Laser 'Holy Grail' to Weapons Grade

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/03/battlefield-str.html

The Navy is pushing ahead with a five-year, $163 million dollar plan to bring the "Holy Grail" of energy weapons up to battlefield strength...

These days, some lasers use garnet crystals as their gain media.  Others, huge vats of toxic chemicals. But a FEL doesn't use any gain medium at all to generate its beam. It uses a turbocharged stream of electrons to kick-start its reaction, instead.  And that lets the FEL fire along many different wavelengths -- and for a long, long time.  Which is why it's been called the "Holy Grail of lasers...

The Navy will issue three, year-long contracts for preliminary designs.  From those three, they'll choose two to go into more detailed schematics, and then a single contractor to actually build and test the thing.  Total cost: about $163 million, over five years or so.   By the end, the Navy wants the device installed on a barge, so it can be tried out at sea... 

Anti-Jamming Technology Keeps JDAM on Target Advanced Dual-Frequency Receiver System to Aid Encryption Code Security

http://www.jinsa.org/articles/articles.html/function/view/categoryid/164/documentid/2089/history/3,2360,656,164,2089

The U.S. Air Force has made plans to make the signal that guides its Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) more secure, as a result of Iraqi attempts to jam U.S satellite-guided weapons in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Essentially, a smart tail kit attached to a dumb bomb, the JDAM includes adjustable fins, a control computer, an inertial guidance system, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. From the ground, military units pinpoint targets using the GPS receiver. The receiver then submits the target coordinates to the computer inside the JDAM’s tail kit, which uses signals from the GPS satellites to guide the 500, 1,000 or 2,000 pound to within two meters of the aim point.

...

In April, Boeing awarded the Harris Corporation of Melbourne, Fla. a $3.9 million contract to construct a computer module that will attach to the GPS receiver. Prototypes are expected sometime within the next two years. The Harris anti-jam technology will help recognize the interference, teaching the antenna to ignore the jammer signals. The price of the new jammer, Harris claims, will not exceed $20,000, the cost of a single JDAM kit. Furthermore, Boeing has also recruited an unnamed company to develop anti-spoofing equipment to guard against false transmissions of GPS satellite data through encrypting the codes on the circuit card inside the tail kit.

U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Vulnerable to SS-N-27 Sizzler Anti-Ship Missile?

http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1116

DefenseReview readers may remember an article we published on September 16, 2007 about our aircraft carriers being vulnerable to attack by our enemies and/or potential enemies employing/deploying the latest supersonic cruise missile and supercavitating torpedo technologies being developed by the Russians and shared with countries like China, India, and Iran. Even before that, in November 2006, we'd published an initial article on the threat posed to the U.S. Navy by the latest Russian and Chinese anti-ship weapons. Well, on March 19 (2007), WorldTribune.com published an article on China's purchase of Klub-S 3M-54E / SS-N-27 Sizzler subsonic/supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from Russia. Then, on March 23, Bloomberg published their own piece on China's Sizzler missile purchase and the U.S. Navy's lack of a solid plan to defend against it, more specifically to defend our aircraft carriers against it.

The Russian-made 3M-54E/SS-N-27 Sizzler subsonic/supersonic anti-ship cruise missile currently being employed and deployed by China, and, it seems, Iran, can be launched from both submarines and surface ships (and possibly aircraft).

Orville Hanson, a 38-year U.S. Naval weapons systems evaluator calls Sizzler a "carrier-destroying weapon." "Take out the carriers'' and China ``can walk into Taiwan," he says. No kidding.

While we like to consider ourselves optimists here at DefRev, we predict that China will get Taiwan back within ten (10) years, and quite possibly in as little as five (5) years. We hope we're wrong, but it's most likely really up to China, and how determined they are to take back the island. If they really want--and it seems that they do--they'll probably get it, since they can most likely sink our aircraft carriers at will.

...

The following excerpt is from Bloomberg:

"This is a very low-flying, fast missile,'' said retired Rear Admiral Eric McVadon, a former U.S. naval attache in Beijing. ``It won't be visible until it's quite close. By the time you detect it to the time it hits you is very short. You'd want to know your capabilities to handle this sort of missile.''

...

The kicker is that some of China's Sizzler missiles are reported to be nuclear-tipped. Yeah, the story just keeps getting better, doesn't it?

What if Iran successfully develops nuclear weapons technology, and can tip their Sizzlers with nuclear warheads?

Bottom line, we'd better get our act together, pronto.

Monday, April 7, 2008

'Prowlers' detonate roadside bombs

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/39Prowlers39-detonate-roadside--bombs.3908993.jp

...

Military technicians have been locked in a constant battle to outwit the insurgents. In the past, US forces have relied on jamming the airwaves around soldiers and convoys to stop their enemies using remote controls, such as mobile phones and garage door openers, to detonate hidden explosives.

Now they are changing tack, turning to revamped spy-planes which emit trigger signals instead, sources have told The Scotsman. The goal is to detonate the bombs before the ground troops arrive.

The EA-6B "Prowler" aircraft – which debuted at the end of the Vietnam War – have been refurbished with a top-secret signals system designed to emit waves of electromagnetic radiation, which apes the insurgents' triggering devices.

They are sweeping the roads ahead of vulnerable US convoys in what troops on the ground call "courtesy burns", because they are designed to burn up concealed explosives.

The tactic is banned under British rules of engagement because the pilots have no way of locating the bombs, or any nearby civilians, before they set them off.

...

American electronic warfare experts call the Prowler flights "IED defeat missions".

While it is standard practice for Nato patrols to emit jamming signals to stop remote triggers from working near allied vehicles, the US technology is so secret officials are banned from talking about it on the record, and the US has refused to share it, even with its closest allies.

But the Afghan ministry of defence confirmed that two senior American soldiers briefed the defence minister, Abdul Rahim Wardak, on the technology last year. A spokesman said: "We discussed the technology that lets them control bombs."

There are four navy Prowlers in Afghanistan, based at Bagram air base. They are part of the 134 Electronic Attack Squadron, and they support US ground troops in eastern Afghanistan. The region suffered more than half of all the IED attacks last year.

Speaking privately, senior American officers claim that the idea is to get the bomb makers at the factory. "It's win-win when that happens," said a US officer. But civilian analysts insist that it is very unusual for insurgents to arm the bombs before they lay them.

The US military spokesman in Afghanistan refused to comment on what he called "counter-IED efforts involving aerial platforms", except that they made the country "a safer and more secure place".

...
.

Electronic Fratricide Over Iraq

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/articles/20080322.aspx

March 22, 2008: The U.S. Navy has become the latest victim of electronic fratricide. In Iraq, its Silver Hawk UAVs [PHOTO] are getting disabled by interference from other military electronics...Investigation of these incidents revealed something electronic warfare experts have been warning of for a long time. With so much exotic new gear, capable of putting out so many different signals, and in a huge number of combinations (which creates even more new electronic signals), there was no way to knowing what kind of impact this would have on existing military, and civilian, electronics...In Iraq, is was quickly discovered that Warlock (a jammer that shut down enemy use of wireless signals to set off roadside bombs) also interfered with some military equipment, including some radios. This was not good.

The latest victim is the U.S. Navy  Silver Fox UAV...The navy uses Silver Fox in Iraq to support its Riverine units. But most of the Riverine missions involve some truck convoy action, and that's where the Silver Fox is used to provide extra eyes for the sailors in the trucks. The Silver Fox did not always have problems with jammers and other electronic warfare equipment. But this stuff constantly changes, in response to whatever the enemy is using. The navy is looking at several fixes. In the meantime, there are some limitations on how Silver Fox can be used.

Dixie Crow group says its session at Museum of Aviation a success

http://www.macon.com/197/story/301442.html

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE --The Dixie Crow Chapter of the Association of Old Crows completed this week what the electronic warfare specialists say was its most successful symposium in history, attracting more than 1,100 registrants to the almost weeklong session at the Museum of Aviation.

Dixie Crow President Wes Heidenreich said 50 exhibitors took advantage of the opportunity to display products and services dealing with electronic warfare, information operations and information warfare...

Robins Air Force Base is the Air Force focal point for electronic warfare and related systems with almost 70 common and assigned systems in the local portfolio...

Heidenreich said the Warner Robins symposium is the largest chapter gathering in the country. "Only the national Association of Old Crows meeting is larger," he said, "and it only exceeds our convention by about 10 percent."

The series of meetings also allowed the local chapter - the largest in the association - to continue its charity work.

"We will be able to contribute about $41,000 this year to scholarships for local students pursuing bachelor's and advanced degrees," Heidenreich said...

Friday, April 4, 2008

Electromagnetic Weapon patent (Patent # US 7,051,636)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7051636.html

An electromagnetic weapon that includes semi-randomly arranged antenna elements and a central weapon computer. The antenna elements are coordinated to function as an active phased array capable of finding and executing a resonate mode of a target. The central weapon computer controls all the antenna elements, and is able to determine the location of all the antenna elements.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electromagnetic weapon that can pinpoint and destroy or degrade electronics or detonate or disable explosive devices.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electromagnetic weapon that does not damage anything except the intended target...

Raytheon Seeks Solutions for Defeating Improvised Explosive Devices

NEWS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has launched a new Web site to recruit industry and academic partners to help defeat improvised explosive devices (IED), the No. 1 killer of service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Potential partners can join the effort by registering solutions and ideas at http://www.raytheon.com/missions/rtn07_ied.

The Web site allows industry and academia to make teaming and partnership recommendations for proposed solutions and to receive rapid, confidential reviews and feedback on those solutions. The site also maintains proprietary safeguards to protect submitted information against improper disclosure.

"As an industry leader in Mission Systems Integration, Raytheon is committed to ending the threat of IEDs to service members," said Jack Costello, vice president of Business Development and Strategic Planning for Raytheon Network Centric Systems. "Coalition forces are still being affected on the battlefield, so we decided to exhaust every opportunity to find the best solutions. I hope industry accepts our challenge in this important endeavor."

As the leader of this effort, the Raytheon IED-Defeat Task Force offers solutions that fill technology and capability gaps. The task force also addresses urgent operational needs in programs approved and funded by the Defense Department's Joint IED Defeat Office, the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, as well as the Army and the Navy.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning more than 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
George Rhynedance
703.284.4439

Presolicitation for RF Simulator for testing electronic combat systems

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=3087fc98862ae73e406055772d9b3a01&tab=core&_cview=0

Solicitation Number:
FA8540-08-R-22117
Notice Type:
Presolicitation Synopsis
Added: Apr 04, 2008 12:59 pm

The Electronic Sustainment Group intends to contract for the manufacture, assembly, documentation, test delivery, and install of a RF Simulator for testing electronic combat systems.  The simulator will be integrated into and become part of the current simulation network (SIMNET) consisting of existing and future Combat Electromagnetic Environment Simulators (CEESIMS) at the Electronic Warfare Integrated Support Facility (EWAISF) at Robins AFB, GA.    ALL potential offerors should contact the buyer/PCO identified below for additional information and/or to communicate concerns, if any, concerning this acquisition.  This acquisition does involve technology that has a military or space application.  U.S. contractors must submit a copy of their current, approved DD Form 2345 with their request for solicitation.  To request this certification, write to the Commander, Defense Logistics Services Center, Attn: DLSC-FEB, Federal Center, Battle MI 49017-3084 and request a copy of Department of Defense Form 2345.  The solicitation will be a full and open competition.  The solicitation package must be downloaded from http://www.fedbizopps.gov; no hard copies will be available.  No telephone inquiries will be accepted.  All prospective offers must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration Database (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov prior to the anticipated date of award.   

Contracting Office Address:
WR-ALC/PK Acquisition Opportunities 235 Byron St,,,
Warner Robins, Georgia 31098-1611
United States

Place of Performance:
Robins AFB, Georgia 31098
United States

Primary Point of Contact.:
John W Middlebrooks,
Contract Specialist
john.middlebrooks2@robins.af.mil
Phone: (478) 926-7443
Fax: (478) 926-7211

Secondary Point of Contact:
Keith C Echols,
Contract Specialist
keith.echols@robins.af.mil
Phone: (478)926-7070
Fax: (478)926-7211

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TECHNOLOGIES FOR USE AS STAND IN JAMMER SYSTEM

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=29983f1f36bd1728cf6daab60dcdc4aa&tab=core&_cview=1

MARKET SURVEY - SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: The Government is issuing this sources-sought announcement as part of a market survey. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division is interested in receiving white papers which offer technically mature systems, sub-systems, components, algorithms, and/or technologies for use as a Stand In Jammer against surface to air missile systems. All interested sources are encouraged to submit company and product literature, references and any other pertinent information for the Government's consideration.

The following topics are areas of current interest:
(a) Electronic Warfare Payload consisting of jammer effective against newer coherent surface to air missile systems. Payload will also consist of EW receiver system with required sensitivity/selectivity to be an effective detection receiver at tactically useful ranges. RF up/down conversion, processor, amplifier(s), antenna(s), etc. required.

(b) Processing software required to complete stand in jamming mission in stressing RF environment. An example might be autonomous operation that requires geolocation, classification and prioritization of target threats prior to jamming. Software/firmware required to effectively use DRFM against threats of interest also required.

(c) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with approximately 500 nmi radius, 1 hour on station time, survivable (e.g. reduced Radar Cross Section) when not jamming during ingress/egress. Launch and recover afloat and ashore. Suitable size, weight and power for EW Payload, data links, navigation system, etc. Common Control Station interface desired.

(d) Suitable communications links, Beyond line of sight (e.g. SATCOM) and survivable (e.g. Low Probability of Intercept, LPI) line of sight links.

(e) Mission planning systems, compatibility with existing JMPS desired.

Vendors may provide information on all or a subset of the above areas. Vendors wishing to propose only to the UAS system may use an estimate of 30 lbs, 250 watts, and 1.5 cubic feet for EW payload requirements but these numbers are subject to change depending on EW payload designs. Desired discussion areas include elements of cost, schedule, performance, risk, component technical readiness level (TRL) rating, required GFE/GFI, Government and vendor teaming and cost sharing during initial integration phase. Initial submissions were required COB, 7 March 2007. The date for complete, fully refined data packages has been extended from 1 April 2008 to 16 May 2008.

NSWC Crane is considering hosting a "Technology Day" to provide interested vendors an opportunity to ask questions and provide industry input, prior to the date for final submissions. If that does in fact take place, additional details concerning the time and place will be provided and posted to the same websites as this announcement.

Interested organizations should respond by providing the Government the following information; point of contact, address, telephone and fax numbers, email address, duns number, cage code and or tax ID number, as well as size category (large, small, small disadvantaged, etc) a brief summary of the company's capabilities, description of facilities, personnel, and related manufacturing experience. Also provide any supporting information such as commercial literature, catalogues, manuals, etc. At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts.

This sources sought synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The U.S. Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities.

Your interest in this response is appreciated. Interested vendors should provide information regarding this announcement to: Mr. Roger Brett, Code 0563WH, Bldg 2035, NSWC, Crane, IN 47522, telephone (812) 854-5269 or e-mail at: roger.brett@navy.mil. Technical questions regarding this announcement may be directed to Mr. William Lang, Systems Integration Branch, Bldg 3330C, NSWC, Crane, IN 47522, telephone (812) 854-4135 or e-mail at: william.lang@navy.mil. Classified questions or information may be emailed to william.lang@crane.navy.smil.mil.

IEDs Go Beyond Iraq, Afghanistan - Bombing tactic used in Russia, India, elsewhere

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-04-03-IED_N.htm

Makeshift bomb attacks by insurgents — common in Iraq and Afghanistan — are on the rise in other countries, prompting concerns by military experts that the tactic is becoming the weapon of choice by terrorist groups worldwide.

There are 200 to 300 improvised explosive attacks each month outside Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Triton Report.

...

Last year, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Russia and Nepal were among the countries with the most IED activity outside Iraq and Afghanistan, according to JIEDDO, which relies on the Triton report for data on attacks. Among the IED attacks in February, included in the report:

•Sri Lanka: On Feb. 2, an IED killed 20 people and injured 80 at a bus stop.

•Somalia: On Feb. 3, a bomb blew up a bus in Mogadishu, killing five and wounding 10 others.

•India: On Feb. 8, guerrillas killed two members of Indian security forces and wounded four others with a makeshift bomb. On Feb. 27, an IED strapped to a bicycle killed one and wounded 14. Bomb attacks in India have doubled since 2006, the report said. The report cites 15 attacks in February.

•Venezuela: On Feb. 24, a bomb blew up outside the national Chamber of Commerce building in Caracas, killing a police inspector.

•Thailand: On Feb. 27, anti-government militants killed a person with a bomb buried in a roadway. Four people were wounded.

Navy Can't Test Defense Against China's 'Sizzler' Until 2014

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&refer=politics&sid=a5LkaU0wj714

The U.S. Navy won't be able to test its defenses against China's most advanced cruise missile until at least 2014, or seven years after the weapon was deployed...

Altera FPGA Employed in EONIC's Electronic Warfare System

News Release

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ:ALTR) today announced its Stratix® II FPGAs have been selected by EONIC B.V. (http://www.eonic.com) for use in its SR-5124 converged multi-channel signals acquisition system. Used as a signal receiver in electronic warfare systems, the SR-5124 leverages the high-performance architecture of the Stratix II FPGA to provide advanced digital signal processing capabilities while using minimal power. EONIC recently announced the U.S. Navy and the German Ministry of Defense have both selected the SR-5124 for use in their sophisticated next-generation electronic warfare systems.

The SR-5124 is a full-featured SIGINT (signals intelligence) recorder, which stores both ELINT (electronic intelligence) and COMINT (communications intelligence) signals. Stratix II FPGAs are a proven solution in electronic warfare systems, offering reliability, flexibility, digital signal processing and low latency. Using Altera’s high-performance FPGAs, the SR-5124 is able to detect, monitor, record and analyze a combination of video, radio, satellite communication and radar signals simultaneously and synchronously.

“The SR-5124 resolves a huge logistical problem for intelligence organizations that traditionally were required to switch between radar signals and communications signals,” said Hans Vanderhoek, CEO of EONIC. “By working closely with Altera and leveraging the signal processing capabilities within their Stratix II FPGAs, customers can monitor and record any combination of signals, and integrate their proprietary data analysis algorithms into the signal acquisition and processing flow.”

“EONIC’s SR-5124 is a compelling solution for intelligence organizations looking to transform their SIGINT systems to support the challenges associated with 21st century warfare,” said Amr El-Ashmawi, senior business unit manager, military and aerospace business unit at Altera Corporation. “Altera has a long tradition of delivering solutions targeting electronic warfare platforms, and we are pleased to be able to support EONIC’s latest system.”

For additional information about Altera’s military and aerospace solutions, visit www.altera.com/military. For additional information about Altera’s Stratix II FPGAs, visit www.altera.com/stratix2.

Research and Markets: Improvised Explosive Devices and Technological Advances in Russian and Chinese Missiles Drive U.S. Electronic Warfare Spending

NEWS RELEASE

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c86827) has announced the addition of "U.S. Electronic Warfare Markets" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled U.S. Electronic Warfare Markets outlines the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) electronic warfare (EW) market’s programs and funding. The study summarizes the major Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and Procurement programs funded jointly and by the individual services. The impact of these and future EW plans on defense industry market participants is also included.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is paying greater attention to Electronic Warfare (EW) programs, due to the casualties sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq by insurgents armed with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In addition, China and Russia have improved their anti-air and anti-ship missiles with sophisticated tracking and guidance radars that incorporate EW countermeasures. Though their export is not widespread, it is anticipated in the near future. China has also begun, and Russia has resumed, routine out-of-area air and naval patrols, and both nations have also deployed new ballistic missile submarines equipped with long-range nuclear weapons. China has further demonstrated its ability to shoot down satellites, a platform U.S. forces are now totally dependent upon, leading many U.S. officials to contend that China may soon be a near-peer competitor in space.

However, joint airborne electronic attack (AEA) planning is being hampered because the DoD and the Air Force have not committed to funding and building a follow-on stand-off jamming capability to take over from the Navy Growler program in 2014. There are concerns that there will be a serious airborne EW capability gap by 2010, caused by too few U.S. assets and expected weapons advances made by potential adversaries. "There is a lack of DoD-wide decisive leadership and a joint-service coordinated plan," notes the analyst of this research service. "This hinders the industry from anticipating the technological needs of the armed forces and the required investment in engineering and manufacturing resources."

Renewed Air Force Interest in Electronic Warfare

The U.S. Air Force does not have the flexibility for planning and executing strike missions that it once had. The hope that stealth technology would make up for the lack of an inherent EW capability has not materialized, and when Navy and Marine Corps EA-6Bs begin to leave service, the Air Force will have fewer options to conduct unconventional missions that support ground force operations in the war against terrorism. The Air Force is also investigating collateral EW missions for the F-22, F35, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as embedded antenna, sensor, and signal processing technologies become more advanced. For 2008, the Congress has provided $3,150.0 million to buy an additional 20 F-22 Raptors. With 79 airframes ready to go during 2008, they are considering appropriating funds for an additional 20 aircraft beyond the 183 that are programmed. An additional $680.0 million was added to the $1,800.0 million requested for 2008 for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter.

DoD EW spending in 2008 is expected to be about $1,258.5 million. The largest area of spending is airborne EW because of the emphasis on upgrading the EA-6B aircraft, the production of the F-22, and the development of the F-18G EW system. Ground EW is close behind, due to the spending to defeat Radio Frequency (RF) IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. "With regard to competition, the U.S. DoD EW market is led by Northrop Grumman, which is anticipated to account for 24.0 percent of the 2008 funding, mostly in the airborne EW sector," says the analyst. "Other leading EW industry participants are ITT, Raytheon, BAE, Boeing, and Tyco M/A-Com."

Companies mentioned:

- ITT
- Raytheon
- BAE
- Boeing
- Tyco M/A-Com

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c86827

U.S. Electronic Warfare Spending Driven by Improvised Explosive Devices

NEWS RELEASE

Casualties sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have prompted the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to pay greater attention to electronic warfare (EW) programs.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.aerospaceanddefense.frost.com), U.S. Electronic Warfare Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of $1.25 billion in 2008 and estimates this to reach $1.31 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the U.S. Electronic Warfare Markets, then send an e-mail to Sara Villarruel, Corporate Communications, at sara.villarruel@frost.com, with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

“U.S. military operational and technological domination has resulted in adversaries using ‘asymmetrical’ methods to counter U.S. strength,” notes Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst Brad Curran. “The U.S. is sometimes slow to counter these unconventional threats that exploit gaps in technology, techniques, and procedures. Potential large nation-state adversaries have also begun to research ways to exploit the seams in U.S. conventional power.”

The Army’s Electronic Warfare Technology program funds systems to enhance EW offensive operations and lethality, as well as protect ground forces against IEDs.

Airborne EW planning remains hampered by the DoD and Air Force not committing to funding or building a follow-on stand-off jamming capability to replace the Navy Growler program in 2014. A serious airborne EW capability gap by 2010 caused by fewer U.S. assets and weapon advancements made by potential adversaries continues to raise concerns. Overall, a lack of decisive DoD leadership and a coordinated joint-service plan hinder the industry from anticipating the technological needs of the armed forces to make the appropriate engineering and manufacturing resource investments.

“The U.S. DoD has a shortage of airborne radar and communications jamming capability,” explains Curran. “Under the current AEA doctrine, the Navy is primarily responsible for the EW mission and the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). The Air Force is scheduled to take over in 2012.”

Industry participants would benefit from pooling resources and building teams to compete for contracts as the number of EW programs, engineers, project managers, and platforms decreases. This cooperative approach, which has proven successful in other areas such as communications and surveillance technologies, would emphasize each firm’s strengths and provide a better and more cost-efficient solution.

Organization Leads Fight Against IEDs

http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/04/01/8233-organization-leads-fight-against-ieds/

If America allows the improvised-explosive device to control its strategic decisions, IED will become the weapon of choice for all of America's enemies, according to the director of the organization charged with its defeat.

"We need to figure out where the enemy is going to go next, because the enemy is going to remain in a very disruptive, irregular-warfare pattern," said Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz, director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.

"He will not attack us conventionally and we've got to figure out what technology he's going to use and how he's going to employ that technology, because he will not give up anytime soon," Metz said. "I sincerely believe that if we are not successful, (IED) will become the weapon of choice and it will be far beyond just the CENTCOM area of responsibility. It won't be just in the Middle East. It will be about everywhere that people are fighting, and has the potential to come to the homeland."

JIEDDO leads the Department of Defense actions for anything related to IEDs, from developing and fielding new technologies to defeat IEDs to training servicemembers to identify dangers in the road. It has a three-part strategy for attacking IEDs - which Metz said has been partially responsible for the recent decline in incidents - Attack the Network, Defeat the Device and Train the Force.

Attacking the terrorist network is especially important, he continued, because it prevents the IED at the source. It can include disrupting movement between financiers, IED makers, trainers and their infrastructure, as well as providing surveillance and intelligence to commanders.

"Some parts of the network may not be as fruitful to attack," Metz said. "For example, the young person who goes and places the IED may just...get paid $100 a night to put in the IED and they do it to feed their family. They're not ideologically motivated, they're a laborer. The bomb maker's got to be a little bit more skilled and thoughtful about what he does and maybe the financier is a determined radical who has the wherewithal to fund the network. So that's why it's so important to understand the network and attack those vulnerabilities in the network."

If an IED does make it into the field, JIEDDO, Soldiers and commanders rely on both new and very basic technologies such as jamming systems that prevent cell-phone and other remote-control IEDs from detonating, route-clearance blowers that remove debris from roadways and robots that dismantle IEDs.

According to JIEDDO's top enlisted advisor, Sgt. Maj. Anthony Semento, many of these ideas, such as the blower, have come from servicemembers in the field who couldn't wait for the development and fielding process to combat IEDs. He tries to visit Soldiers in-theater quarterly to find out what's working and what isn't, especially as insurgents often develop new techniques overnight.

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"Soldiers need to be trained to a point where they don't believe the IED is a show-stopper for them," said Semento.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Counter-IED Evolution - Navy's Joint CREW looks for next generation of improvised explosive device defenses

http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/

The Navy-led team tasked with finding ways to defeat roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan is entering a critical stage this year: identifying the future technologies that could counter attacks against U.S. forces anywhere in the world...JCREW personnel have been using jammers to block the radio frequency triggers used to remotely detonate IEDs. ...But this year, the JCREW team, led by Navy Capt. Mark Kavanaugh, is looking for a globally deployable system and the appropriate and flexible software architecture to protect troops — whether the Soldiers or Marines are on foot, traveling in a vehicle or within the confines of a base.  “This is the continuing evolution of where we are today,” Kavanaugh said of JCREW’s upcoming effort, known as spiral 3.3. “It’s an ongoing process. Electronic warfare does not stop. It’s a constant, cyclical kind of evolution. Our objective is to stay ahead of the threat.” 

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JCREW 3.3 is looking for further improvements to interoperability. “We are interested in understanding the interplay between jammers,” Kavanaugh said. “I do not necessarily care about the platform, but about the synergy of all our systems.”  To do that in an unknown scenario, “we have to have a system robust enough to be in the position to effectively deny” the enemy’s constantly evolving technology, he said.  To that end, the JCREW office will release draft requests for proposals during the next several months...The 3.3 spiral and subsequent follow-ons are etched into the Navy’s Program Objective Memorandum process and will be funded out of the Navy’s baseline budget. Funding the program out of the regular budget is an acknowledgement that it is a program that will stay forward-looking rather than just reactive, Kavanaugh said. “I think one of the problems we have to realize and overcome [is] that any electronic warfare device has counter-electronic warfare solutions,” said David Rockwell, an electronic warfare analyst with the Teal Group, a consulting firm in Fairfax, Va. “We are fighting an intelligent and capable enemy.” 

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Kavanaugh said JCREW 3.3 will be developed during the next five years.  “It will be a fast-pace developmental program using state-of-the-art hardware and software,” he said. “We are starting with ‘open’ concepts in both software and system architecture, which will assist the program in our acquisition concept for a full and open competition.”  On the technology side, Kavanaugh anticipates spiral 3.3 will feature “more powerful hardware,” with constant improvements to the product that will continue in subsequent increments. Systems will require man-portable, vehicle-based and fixed-site systems. 

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