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The U.S. Army’s Multi-Function Electronic Warfare Air Large (MFEW) system is poised to redefine the battlefield by integrating advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities into combat aviation brigades. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the MFEW system is a pod-mounted technology designed for deployment on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone. Its platform-agnostic design ensures adaptability to various systems, provided they meet specific power requirements.
This groundbreaking system offers electronic attack and jamming capabilities, supporting maneuver commanders on the ground while providing limited cyber capabilities. As a critical enabler for the Army’s modernization priorities, the MFEW system is a game-changer in tactical operations.
Military information and communication systems especially wireless connections operate by accessing the electromagnetic spectrum, such as radar systems and navigation equipment and their controlling computers. These applications range from using very low frequency radio waves to communicate with submarines underwater, to microwaves as a continuous datalink between aircraft, and to lasers in the infrared and ultraviolet ends of the spectrum to dazzle satellite sensors and destroy drones.
Modern militaries use radars and other sensors to locate each other and the enemy, wireless computer networks to order supplies and coordinate operations, and jammers to degrade enemy radars or disrupt communications that are critical for effective command and control. The radars and recently light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems are used to develop a picture of the battlespace by providing the location of friendly and enemy forces. In general, communications systems use radio and microwave frequencies; however, emerging communications technologies use lasers—transmitting light, instead of radio waves, between antennas.
Next, there’s electronic warfare. It employs directed radiofrequency energy – ranging from radio signals through radar, up to lasers and beyond – to manipulate, control, or even destroy an adversary’s ability to effectively use the electromagnetic spectrum. Electronic warfare uses the spectrum to gain and maintain military access to the spectrum. Electronic warfare (EW) is any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack of an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly unimpeded access to, the EM spectrum. EW can be applied from air, sea, land, and space by manned and unmanned systems, and can target humans, communications, radar, or other assets.
Over the past two decades, cyberspace operations have become an important element in military operations. Cyber warfare involves the actions by a nation-state or international organization to attack and attempt to damage another nation’s computers or information networks through, for example, computer viruses or denial-of-service attacks. The military has already designated cyberspace as the fifth domain of war – along with the four physical domains of air, land, sea and space – and it’s mulling making the electromagnetic spectrum the sixth domain. Cyberspace operations are the employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace. CO are categorized into three functions including offensive cyberspace operations (OCO), defensive cyberspace operations (DCO), and Department of Defense information network operations.
Recent advancements in electronic warfare (EW) technologies are heavily focusing on enhancing situational awareness, electromagnetic spectrum dominance, and platform versatility for military applications. Modern systems are increasingly blurring the lines between traditional EW and cyber warfare. These integrated approaches aim to exploit vulnerabilities in digital communication networks, combining jamming with cyber exploitation for broader operational impact.
DARPA has also launched projects including the Adaptive Radar Countermeasures (ARC) program, which develops machine learning techniques for real-time analysis of adversarial radar signals, enabling tailored jamming responses. Additionally, programs like Mosaic Warfare emphasize modular and scalable EW systems that can be rapidly reconfigured
U.S. Army’s Multi-Function Electronic Warfare Air Large (MFEW) system, developed by Lockheed Martin, is designed to detect, identify, locate, and disrupt enemy communications and radar systems. It has demonstrated extended-range capabilities and is platform-agnostic, supporting configurations on unmanned aircraft like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and fixed-wing aircraft like the MC-12W. The MFEW-AL integrates with the C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards and is pivotal for Multi-Domain Operations
Milestones and Program Evolution
The MFEW program has undergone significant milestones, starting with an affirmative Milestone C decision in May 2021. This approval paved the way for low-rate initial production. Fiscal 2025 budget documents revealed plans to equip the first unit by fiscal 2026, reflecting adjustments to the program schedule to accommodate evolving requirements and threats.
Earlier timelines projected production and fielding between the third quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2026. However, delays arose due to the need for a Limited User Test (LUT) before the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), now scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. This expanded testing addresses the dynamic threat landscape and ensures the system’s operational effectiveness.
Investment and Development Efforts
The fiscal 2025 budget underscores the Army’s commitment to advancing the MFEW system:
- Procurement Funding: $17.4 million is allocated for two new low-rate initial production pods and two refurbished pods. The refurbished pods are more cost-effective, and increased production quantities are driving further cost efficiencies.
- Research and Development Funding: The Army has requested $16.3 million for continued integration with the Gray Eagle drone and expanded developmental and operational testing. This marks a significant increase from the $4.2 million projected in fiscal 2024.
Modernization and Tactical Relevance
The MFEW system represents one of the first program-of-record EW attack capabilities fielded to troops in decades. Historically, the Army relied on quick reaction capabilities to meet urgent operational needs. The MFEW system addresses this gap with a permanent, robust solution designed to enhance battlefield effectiveness.
Army Futures Command has designated MFEW a priority enabler for its cross-functional teams, including:
- Long-Range Precision Fires
- Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT)
- Future Vertical Lift
- Network Operations
The system aligns with the Army’s 2030 modernization strategy, ensuring units are equipped with cutting-edge tools to counter adversaries and maintain tactical superiority.
Operational Testing and Feedback
The MFEW system has undergone rigorous testing to validate its capabilities. Notable events include exercises with the 10th Mountain Division and demonstrations at China Lake, California. These tests have highlighted the system’s ability to integrate EW capabilities into the fires chain, enabling long-range targeting and situational awareness.
Ken Strayer, Project Manager for Electronic Warfare and Cyber at PEO IEW&S, emphasized the system’s value:
“Within our portfolio, it provides the deepest look of any system directly owned by a maneuver commander — a valuable impact on unit operations.”
Shaping the Future of Warfare
As the Army prepares to field the MFEW system, its significance extends beyond electronic warfare. The platform integrates seamlessly into the Army’s broader modernization efforts, bridging the gap between tactical aviation and ground operations.
With its potential to disrupt adversary communications, enhance targeting accuracy, and support maneuver commanders, the MFEW system is a cornerstone of the Army’s transformation into a more agile, networked, and capable force.
By fiscal 2026, the MFEW system will provide combat aviation brigades with unprecedented EW and cyber capabilities, ensuring they remain a formidable force on the battlefield. This innovation marks a pivotal step toward achieving the Army’s vision for 2030 and beyond.
References and Resources also include:
https://defensescoop.com/2024/04/03/army-units-receive-mfew-airborne-electronic-attack-fiscal-2026/
