Armada’s monthly round-up of all the latest electronic warfare news in the product, programme and operational domains.
Top of the MOPs
Rohde and Schwarz and Infozahyst signed a Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) at this year’s Association of Old Crows’ Electronic Warfare Europe conference and exhibition held in Helsinki between 19th and 21st May. The MOP will combine Rohde and Schwarz’ “cutting edge Electronic Warfare (EW) technology with Infozahyst’s combat experience and market knowledge”, according to a press release announcing the news. The partnership will help “promote a new line of defence products on the international stage”. The joint promotion, adaptation and marketing of high-power jamming and counter-uninhabited aerial vehicle capabilities is envisaged by the MOP. The co-development of a multifunction, mobile EW platform is also envisaged. During the event officials from both companies shared that Rohde and Schwarz and Infozahyst have been working together for several years. These endeavours have focused on developing electronic support measures. The division of labour has seen Rohde and Schwarz provide technical knowledge, and Infozahyst share integration, software and threat library expertise. The latter company has its sights set firmly on exporting its capabilities into the European market, with the Baltic nations being a priority. The two companies are currently developing an EW mission system to equip light and armoured vehicle platforms. Mercury is the system name for the latter, with Jupiter the designation for the light vehicle mission fit.
Saab Unveils Sirius Compact L24R
Also announced at the Electronic Warfare Europe conference and exhibition was a new member of Saab’s Sirius Electronic Warfare (EW) systems family, namely the Sirius Compact L24R electronic support measure. According to a press release articulating the news, the Sirius Compact L24R uses flat panel technology. The system is designed to be installed on a high vantage point, such as a cellphone mast, to provide a good line-of-sight towards emitters of interest. Saab’s official literature notes that the Sirius Compact L24R can detect, identify, locate and track radar signals across a waveband of one gigahertz/GHz to 18GHz. Each panel provides 120 degrees of azimuth coverage, and up to 500 megahertz of instantaneous bandwidth. Direction-finding accuracy is typically under one degree root mean square. Saab officials told Armada that the Sirius Compact L24R has been developed as a “fix and forget” solution. One mooted concept of operations calls for the system to be mounted on existing structures close to a coastline like cellphone towers or high buildings enabling the continuous monitoring of local waters for signals of interest. The officials continued that Saab is under contract to deliver Sirius Compact L24R examples to an undisclosed customer. Deliveries are expected to begin by the end of the third quarter of 2027.
Leonardo Launches Guardian Vantage
Other new products announced at this year’s EW Europe event included Leonardo’s new Guardian Vantage land electronic warfare system. Guardian Vantage can equip vehicles with an Electronic Support Measure (ESM) designed with an open, modular architecture. Alternatively, customers can procure a containerised version. The company’s official literature notes that, as well as processing communications signals of interest, Guardian Vantage provides similar processing for incoming radar signals. Leonardo has remained tight-lipped on the Guardian Vantage’s capabilities. It would be reasonable to assume that it can process signals received across at least a 500 megahertz to 18 gigahertz/GHz waveband, with a possible option to increase this to 40GHz if desired by the customer. Armada understands that the system is being promoted as part of the company’s offering for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Cornerstone land electronic warfare programme. Sources close to the programme have shared that the UK MOD has decided on the industrial team that will provide Cornerstone to the British Army. The MOD is expected to announce the successful bidder imminently.
by Dr. Thomas Withington
