Electronic warfare innovations

Modern technology has resulted in significant innovations in Electronic Warfare. The Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) program has resulted in Electronic Warfare RF receivers that are orders of magnitude smaller, lighter and cheaper than receivers produced only a few years ago. Computer processing technology is so small and fast that Electronic Warfare can digitize threat signals for identification precise enough that platforms can be identified by serial number in real-time. Analog-to-Digital Converters have improved in speed and quality to permit the realization of a broadband (Gigahertz) digital receiver that preserves a quality reproduction of signals that might otherwise be lost by an analog receiver. Broadband RF components continue to progress such that subsystems and systems progress by orders of magnitude. Interferometer antenna systems that previously yielded 1.0 to 1.5 degrees direction of arrival accuracy over 2:1 RF range can be demonstrated now with 0.05 degrees accuracy over a 10:1 RF range. These and many other technologies permit the demonstration of Electronic Warfare capabilities that are finding their way into Electronic Warfare systems through engineering upgrades or entirely new systems. This paper is a synopsis of the above systems and their demonstrated performance.