Tactical Vehicles as Electronic Warfare Platform

Tactical Vehicles as Electronic Warfare Platform

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Dungan, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron Electronic Warfare Systems craftsman prepares to work on an electronic warfare system April 4, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Part of his job is to ensure the maintenance of electronic warfare defensive systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica H. Smith)

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As part of the US Army’s efforts to restore electronic warfare capability and respond to capability gaps, the Army Forces Command will receive a new fleet of tactical vehicles specifically outfitted for electronic warfare this fall.

The service’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF) will provide Army Forces Command with what’s known as Electronic Warfare Tactical Vehicles. The vehicles will be self-contained and independent, a notice from the REF stated. Soldiers inside the vehicle would operate the advanced EW system, which was developed in response to a battlefield need to sense and jam enemy communications and networks.

Several organizations partnered with the Rapid Equipping Force, which provides innovated materiel solutions to meet urgent needs, including Army Cyber Command and the Test and Evaluation Command.

“This effort will allow the ability for EW Soldiers to influence future vehicle improvements and grow their knowledge,” Lt. Col. Scott Schumacher, chief of the Rapid Equipping Force solutions team, said in a release. “This is an advanced EW technology that can provide the Army new offensive and defensive capabilities.”

The Army is working to provide an integrated electronic warfare and intelligence ground platform, eliminating original plans for electronic-warfare-centric ground platform, according to c4isrnet.com. The Army expects a new Terrestrial Layer System, a SIGINT/electronic warfare system, will be used by military intelligence-electronic warfare companies the Army is working to stand up.

The Army also wants SIGINT, electronic warfare and cyber systems on the same platforms in the air and ground domain. These systems should be able to not only sense the environment but employ some type of action such as electronic attack or cyber capability.