Leonardo Capability Manager RF countermeasures, Geoff Tithecott, presented at DSEI 2019.

1. ELECTRONICS DIVISION
Geoff Tithecott, Capability Manager RF countermeasures
11th September 2019
Delivering Air Superiority in Contested Environments
Suppression of Near-Peer Enemy Air Defences
Future SEAD Developments

2. ELECTRONICS DIVISION
Background

3. 3
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Prospective
Agreed
S-400 Deployment.

4. 4
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IADS - Sensors
• Surveillance
• VHF
• Airborne
• Passive

5. 5
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IADS - Effectors
• SAM
• Short
• Medium
• long
• Missiles
• Active RF
• Passive RF
• IR

6. 6
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• Diverse
• Layered
• Networked
• Highly Mobile
IADS - Integration

7. 7
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Features and Doctrine for a future SEAD Capability

8. 8
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System of Systems Approach
• Layered
• Multiple assets
• Diverse capabilities
• Mix of persistent and
expendable
• Co-ordinated
Cyber + Info Ops
Self Protect
Hard
Kill
Electronic
Attack
Mission
Success

9. 9
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Sensors - Find, Fix, Identify
• Detection
• CEME – Commercial use and
intentional interferers
• Wideband – technology allows
increasing use of spectrum
• Geolocation
• Passive
• Multi-platform
• Recognition
• Waveform types
• Adaptive waveforms
• Specific Emitters
Frequency
Agile RF
HPRF
Barker
Chirp
Frequency
Time

10. 10
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Effectors
• EA/ED roles
• SOJ
• Escort
• SIJ
• Self protect
• Communications
• Cyber effects
• Countermeasure Capability
• Multi platform
• Wider bandwidths
• Adaptive
• Complex waveforms
• Passive systems
• Measuring effects

11. 11
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Processing flexibility
• Adaptive / Cognitive EW
• Machine learning
• Pattern of life
• Architecture Agility
• Reallocation of hardware
• Re-configurable firmware
• Distributed processing
• Algorithmic updates
• Algorithmic mission data loads
• Tools to rapidly analyse and
update data and algorithms
Sense Think Act
Rx Tx
Rx
Rx
DSP
LIB
DSP
DSP
processing

12. 12
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Data Management
• Real Time
• Networks
• Fusion
• Data Quality
• Recording
• Integrated Mission Support
• Planning
• Mission data preparation
• Test and evaluation
• Post mission analysis
Plan
Collect
Analyse
Use and
Distribute
Evaluate
Maintain

13. 13
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Equipment

14. 14
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Stand Off - Electronic Attack
• Advances in microwave electronics
and AESA technology.
• Higher power transmitters
• Higher gain antennas
• Wider bandwidth
• Advanced techniques
• Multi tasking

15. 15
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Stand in Jamming – SPEAR EW
• Development of SPEAR Weapon
- Retains outer mold line and mass properties
- Seeker and warhead removed
- Replaced by additional fuel and EW payload
• SEAD force multiplier
• Provides SIJ and air launched decoy capability deep
inside MEZ
• EW Payload
- Development of Leonardo BriteCloud technology
- Extremely wideband operation
- Handles multiple simultaneous threats

16. 16
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Stand in Jamming - Drones
• Similar EW technology can be used in small drones
• They have reduced range and/or speed
• Potentially large numbers can produce an operational
benefit if a viable method of deployment exists.
• Loyal Wingman Concepts.
Perdix
Coyote
Scan Eagle

17. 17
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Self Protect – Expendable Active Decoys
• Off-Board DRFM Jammer
• Rapid Response
• Increased miss distance vs. TRD and on-
board ECM
• Overcomes Chaff ‘discrimination’
• Mission reprogrammable enabling
optimisation against emerging threats
• Very low integration costs
• No platform modification required
• No Sustainment / maintenance costs

18. 18
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Self Protect – PRAETORIAN LTE
New architecture: Designed to provide capability growth through to the OSD
• Early digitisation (in Wing Tip Pods)
• High speed, wide bandwidth, fast data processing to centralised Av Bay
processing capabilities
• Secure high speed, wide bandwidth dedicated (off-boarding) EW datalink
• Frequency band extensions
• Algorithmic mission data
• Enhanced DF / Geolocation
• MFA type ECM coverage 360 °(Az); Steerable in Az & El
• Hybrid Missile Approach Warner

19. 19
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Conclusions
• SEAD is a complex and increasingly important task where many individual
elements need to be combined to produce an overall effect.
• SEAD involves more than just Airborne EA
• Solution is dependent on existing capability, force mix and operational
need.
• Points to Note
− Solutions must be interoperable with existing equipment.
− Self protection should not be forgotten. Pop up threats and unanticipated events happen.
• A range of solutions will be needed.
− This makes it difficult to robustly counter.
− However a common core is desirable to help affordability

20. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
leonardocompany.com
ELECTRONICS DIVISION