Task Name: RF and EO Countermeasures | Client: Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Unit | Domain: Air | Tech Domain: Electronic Warfare
RF & EO Countermeasures
DEWC Services provides critical technical analysis and operational optimisation of countermeasure techniques and deployment strategies for Radio Frequency (RF) and Electo Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Countermeasures in collaboration with the Australian Airborne Countermeasures Team (AACT) at DST Edinburgh, improving the survivability of Australian Defence Force (ADF) platforms in the ever-evolving Electronic Warfare (EW) battlespace.
BACKGROUND
Countermeasures Development and Validation (CMD&V) involve the use of technologies and strategies designed to detect, neutralise, and counter adversary activity in the RF and EO battlespaces—activities which are often used for tracking and targeting ADF platforms for lethal engagement. The employment of countermeasures seeks to deny an adversary of their mission objective and protect ADF platforms to achieve mission objectives safely.
THE PROBLEM
The Electronic Warfare battlespace is dynamic, with adversaries continuously developing RF and EO/IR tracking and targeting capabilities to attempt to offset advantage offered by current allied Countermeasures capabilities. Maintaining platform survivability and operational effectiveness requires constant innovation in countermeasure strategies and ongoing assessments of their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
THE SOLUTION
Developing and implementing effective CMD&V strategies requires addressing several challenges, including: a deep understanding of own and adversary technical capabilities; the integration of advanced digital modelling in high-fidelity synthetic test environments; collaboration across international and multidisciplinary teams, and the architecture and execution of advanced laboratory and field test environments; to ensure that countermeasures remained effective against evolving threats. The complexity of the battlespace continuously demands coordination and expertise across multiple domains.
THE OUTCOME
DEWC Services has provided key technical expertise to develop countermeasure techniques, tactics and improve platform survivability through collaboration with the AACT, other ADF elements and international partners, based at world-class facilities within DST Edinburgh. By leveraging advanced technologies and techniques, including synthetic test environments and field trials, the team evaluated and enhanced countermeasure effectiveness.