Electronic Warfare Development

Cognitive Electromagnetic Warfare (Cog EW) integrates multiple projects to achieve massed non-kinetic warfare dominance for the DoW Counter Long-Range Kill Chain (C-LRKC) and Counter-Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (C-C5ISR) constructs. This funding increase adds two new interrelated activities and more expenditures on a current project in order to capture, employ, and exploit EW effectiveness improvements/synergies in contested/congested battlespaces. The Modular Electromagnetic Attack Payloads (MEAP) project will, as part of the overall Cognitive EW Capabilities program, demonstrate and deliver advanced (e.g., using AI, ML, and Cognitive technologies) modularized (defined by size, weight, power/cooling, function, and interface standards) techniques for one (or more) threshold platform s. The intent is to provide an Electromagnetic Attack capability that can be adapted to a number of appropriate platforms to yield a massed non-kinetic fires effect. The Exploitation Application project is the transition of two Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) programs to the operational Air Force. TENCAP increases warfighter effectiveness and promotes cross-domain integration by pursuing multiple small projects then transitioning them via rapid prototyping and capability demonstrations. This project consists of an aiming system to enable a separate firing system designed to effect satellite operations. The Talon LURCHER system will fil key requirement for engaging targets at hypersonic speeds and extended ranges while synchronizing the entire effects chain. The management of these effects must be based on a multi-variable solution that accounts for time, space, range, and velocity relative to the target's specifications. Delivering non-atmospheric effects against targets moving at speeds greater than Mach 20 introduces significant challenges related to data latency. Therefore, this effort will develop and integrate technology specifically designed to alleviate these delays in the track and fire control loop while enabling consistent and accurate delivery of effects to fast-moving, long-range targets, serving as the key technical enabler to properly AIM the weapon system.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) is an automated family of systems/applications linked by common architectures, standards and data that will expeditiously receive, analyze, display, employ, and securely distribute friendly, neutral, and adversary Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) information. DAF EMBM will consist of five component capabilities; the ability to attain, maintain, and monitor the spectrum for EMS Situational Awareness (SA), assessment, and mission planning, decision support with command and control, and training interfaces to all levels of EMS Operations (EMSO). The coordination and synchronization of EMSO will provide real-time Non-Kinetic Fires Orchestration across domains in any range of military operations. DAF EMBM will feed into USSTRATCOM's EMBM-Joint (EMBM-J) at the Combatant Command-level enabling synchronization of Joint Non-Kinetic Fires and enabling resilient decision advantage in contested EM environments. Within the Electronic Warfare (EW) Portfolio, the DAF EMBM program has the greatest reach across the entire force and is closest to operational capability. FY2027 funding will hire personnel and outfit spaces for the EMBM program office for the project. EMBM office will work towards maximum integration and synchronization of multiple programs. The Enterprise-Crowd Sourced Flight Data (E-CSFD) program will ingest leading-edge Electromagnetic data from recording hardware, apply analytic and multi-level security screening, and pass the data back through the long-haul comm links for use by multiple users. The data will inform EW Integrated Reprogramming and intelligence efforts. The Raven Communication system provides Ad-Hoc communications pathways that are dynamic, survivable, and varied in its detectability. Raven will provide Non-Kinetic orchestration and resource management. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) most of its elements have passed Milestone B, it's equivalent, or there is enough evidence that there is low risk in pursuing SDD type activities in pursuit of engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production

"The Advanced Infrared Countermeasure (AIRCM) project improves aircraft self-protection against the increasing threat of sophisticated surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. Countermeasure improvements are the result of multiple related activities. First, enhanced understanding of advanced threats derived from intelligence and Threat Acquisition and Exploitation. Countermeasure Modeling and Simulation creates updated threat models, countermeasure models, and aircraft models. Modeling and Simulation is then used to digitally evaluate new techniques and products for improved effectiveness against current and emerging threat systems. Countermeasure Development yields new devices and capabilities aimed to defeat advanced threats. Countermeasure Testing collects data for updated digital models as well as tests devices and techniques to determine effectiveness. The project also provides for modernization and enhancement of tools and capabilities needed to perform Threat Acquisition and Exploitation, Countermeasure Modeling and Simulation, Countermeasure Development, and Countermeasure Testing. The project also evaluates novel countermeasure devices and techniques for potential significant capability gains against threats." The Electronic Warfare Avionics Integration Support Facility (EWAISF) has the Operational, Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) responsibility for USAF Avionics and EW Systems. They are also the sustainment reprogramming center (RC) for EWIR process charged with the following: Test/Check EW System Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), supporting MAJCOM mission data RC with reprogramming tools, and total EW system testing to ensure mission capability. this is accomplished by replicating the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) environment for Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) laboratory testing. This testing validates previous open-air test & evaluation of modified EW systems via internal test, evaluation, assessment, and characterization capability representing current and emerging adversary systems to include network centric capabilities.

The Multi-Modal Delivery Capability project will operationalize the nascent High Altitude Balloon (HAB) program and deliver immediate operational missions. Operational employment of HAB systems requires a hybrid approach with different but complimentary systems. This program will focus on low-cost, attritable tactical swarming platforms for rapid employment when limited indicators and warnings. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 00605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) most of its elements have passed Milestone B, it's equivalent, or there is enough evidence that there is low risk in pursuing SDD type activities in pursuit of engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production