BAE Systems today announced its selection by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for Phase 2 of its Adaptive Radar Countermeasures (ARC) program, aimed at developing technology to counter threats from adversaries' air defense systems.

Currently, electronic warfare (EW) systems must rely only on known emitter databases to characterize emerging threats. As part of ARC Phase 2, BAE Systems will deliver a prototype system that will feature software algorithms capable of detecting and countering emerging radar threats, providing a major capability enhancement without the need for costly hardware upgrades.

“Our work innovating next-generation EW technology will provide a major battlefield advantage and help create a smarter and safer environment for our warfighters,” said David Logan, vice president and general manager of Technology Solutions at BAE Systems. “Technology that adapts to overcome our adversaries' digitally programmable air defenses is an important part of BAE Systems' wider portfolio in cognitive programming for military systems.”

This award follows BAE Systems' work in Phases 1A and 1B to develop technology that leverages advancements in EW systems to rapidly characterize emerging radar threats, synthesize electronic countermeasures, and assess the effectiveness of the response. Together, Phases 1 and 2 of the ARC program represent a three-year, $21.6 million opportunity for BAE Systems.

Drawing on its more than 60 years of experience designing and fielding the nation's most advanced electronic warfare technologies and capabilities, BAE Systems continues to evolve capabilities to counter emerging Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) threats. Final implementation of the ARC program is projected to occur by 2018, with demonstrations through live flight tests on an existing EW system.