Army researchers eye reconfigurable RF and microwave gear for radar, EW, SIGINT, and communications
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – U.S. Army RF and microwave researchers are surveying industry for technologies that could enable reconfigurable multi-function systems able to switch quickly between radar, electronic warfare (EW), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and communications.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command issued a request for information last week (W56KGU-18-X-0002) for the Reconfigurable Multi-Function System Capabilities project. The Army Contracting Command issued this RFI on behalf of the Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
CERDEC researchers are asking industry, universities, and laboratories for information on reconfigurable multi-function system capabilities, hardware, software, and systems -- including fielded systems -- that can support radar, EW, SIGINT, and communications.
Of interest are techniques, hardware, software, and systems that have reached component and breadboard validation in the laboratory. CERDEC experts also want information on emerging techniques, hardware, software, and systems in development that have shown promise in early experiments.
If possible, Army researchers would like to develop and demonstrate systems and enabling technologies able to support multi-function operations against current and emerging threats and targets. The primary Army CERDEC organization focusing on these technologies is the Radar Technologies and Analysis Branch of CERDEC's Radar Systems and identification (RSID) Division.
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Army researchers are looking for systems and technologies able to provide actionable intelligence, accurate and timely reconnaissance, and surveillance and target acquisition for battlespace awareness and force protection.
Reconfigurable multi-function RF and microwave technologies could offer radar, EW, SIGINT, and communications functions that can be changed rapidly depending on pressing military mission needs and threats.
This kind of equipment has the potential to adapt to different conditions and operating modes to collect the most valuable information available on the RF spectrum.
It might use reprogrammable RF and microwave components and signal-processing components such as field-programmable gate arrays that can change their modes and capabilities quickly. Other technologies could involve new software algorithms able to learn how to collect the most valuable information autonomously.
Technologies like 3-D integration may enable the these software and hardware components to interface with a wide variety of RF and microwave transmitters and receivers.
Reconfigurable capability also could enable users to optimize this kind of technology for a variety of RF bands, which could enable the system to perform real-time analysis on complex RF signals to produce actionable information quickly for the warfighter.
An RF and microwave system able to change modes autonomously also might enable the ability to perform radar, EW, SIGINT, and communications functions simultaneously, or to pick and choose among these functions quickly based on mission needs and contingencies.
Companies interested should email responses no later than 27 Nov. 2017 to CERDEC at [email protected].
For questions or concerns contact the Army's Amy Pancio by email at [email protected], or by phone at 443-861-4679. Also contact Nicholas Martin by email at [email protected], or by phone at 443-861-4681.
More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/notices/f658985cbc74da417f7eb488c2be4794.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
