Naval Research Laboratory Seeks R&D Support for High Power Electromagnetic and Countermeasure Technologies

The recent presolicitation by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for the High Power Electromagnetic Systems Development, Application, and Test (HPEM DAT) project has sent ripples through the world of electronic warfare. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of the technological advancements this project seeks to explore.

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is poised to negotiate cost-type contract submissions to support research and development in the areas of High Power Electromagnetic and Countermeasure Technologies. This effort aims to enhance testing, evaluation, and prototype development to transition these technologies into operational use within the fleet.

Emerging Naval Ship Threats

Emerging ship threats, such as small boat terrorist attacks, military swarm tactics, piracy, and the increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with surveillance and destructive capabilities, pose significant challenges to naval defense. Swarms of small, agile drones can overwhelm ship defenses, while anti-ship missiles with advanced guidance systems pose a significant danger.  These threats exploit the vulnerabilities in traditional ship defense mechanisms and require innovative countermeasures to ensure maritime security.

Developing high power electromagnetic weapons is crucial for modern ship defense as they offer a versatile and effective means to neutralize these diverse threats. High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) and High Energy Laser (HEL) systems can disrupt or destroy electronic systems, sensors, and communication links of hostile entities, providing a robust defensive capability that enhances the survivability of naval vessels in both blue water and littoral environments.

High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF), By generating short, intense bursts of electromagnetic energy, these weapons could disrupt or disable enemy electronics, rendering drones inoperable and potentially even detonating missiles prematurely. Developing this technology is crucial for safeguarding ships and ensuring a decisive advantage in the ever-evolving maritime battlespace. By investing in these advanced technologies, the Navy can maintain a strategic edge and protect its assets against evolving and sophisticated adversarial tactics.

NRL Surface Electronic Warfare Systems Branch Mission

The primary mission of the NRL Surface Electronic Warfare Systems Branch is to plan, guide, and conduct research that underpins the development and effective utilization of shipboard electronic warfare (EW) systems. The branch focuses on defining shipboard EW requirements, analyzing ECM techniques, designing and integrating ECM systems, assessing threats, and evaluating the effectiveness of EW techniques and systems. Additionally, the branch develops operational concepts for EW.

Background

The NRL in Washington, DC, Code 5740, is responsible for R&D on the prototyping and management of projects related to electromagnetic systems, specifically Directed Energy (DE) R&D and Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) systems, for the U.S. Navy. With the rise of asymmetric and conventional military threats, ongoing R&D and the rapid development and deployment of improved ship defense countermeasures are essential to support fleet missions in various maritime environments.

Ship defense projects must address a broad electromagnetic spectrum, from radiofrequency (RF) bands up to the millimeter-wave band and in the infrared spectral region. DE technologies such as High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF), High Energy/High Power laser systems, and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) systems are crucial for neutralizing these threats. Additionally, there is a need to develop technologies to counter small boat terrorist attacks, military swarm attacks, piracy, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with surveillance sensors and destructive weapons. HPRF technologies are also applicable against these threats.

The emergence of DE threats has also spurred efforts to protect electronic devices of Naval interest, complementing current efforts to defeat such systems. This work is related to the protection of Naval and civilian infrastructure from High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) threats.

Why is this Important?

Electronic warfare plays a critical role in modern naval combat. By disrupting or disabling enemy electronics with targeted electromagnetic pulses, navies can gain a significant advantage. HPEM DAT seeks to develop high-powered systems that can operate across a broader spectrum, potentially offering greater flexibility and effectiveness in electronic warfare scenarios.

Technical Requirements

To address these evolving threats, NRL requires contractor support for designing and developing prototype systems and evaluating RF and millimeter-wave effects and technologies. Research will also include Ultra Short Pulse (USP) and High Energy effects.

Comprehensive Directed Energy (DE) Research and Development, Testing, and Evaluation

This research area covers DE applications, including HPRF, High Power Microwave (HPM), Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Warfare (EW), and high-power lasers for protecting and defeating electronic sensors, countering UAVs, anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and GPS jamming, as well as developing high-power sources and missile defenses. Both offensive and defensive aspects are covered.

Contractor tasks may span from basic research to the development, testing, and integration of robust prototype systems on fleet platforms. Work will be conducted in both laboratory and field environments. The contractor will also investigate DE effects on biological materials, focusing on RF effects, although NRL is not allowed to conduct experiments on animals.

1. Comprehensive DE RDT&E: The contractor shall provide comprehensive research, development, testing, and evaluation of DE technologies.
2. Phenomenology Research: The contractor shall research the underlying phenomenology, plan, develop, and execute experiments, and assist in reporting and presenting results.
3. Analysis, Modeling, and Experimentation: The contractor shall provide an understanding of phenomenology through analysis, modeling, and experimentation.
4. Countermeasure Effectiveness: The contractor shall determine the effectiveness of countermeasures using signal-level analysis.
5. Performance Evaluation: The contractor shall evaluate performance at the signal processing level, utilizing system models and computerized simulations.
6. Requirements Analysis: The contractor shall conduct requirements analysis and cost-performance trade-offs.
7. Implementation Concept: The contractor shall incorporate derived requirements into an implementation concept.
8. Engagement Scenario Evaluation: The contractor shall evaluate performance in various engagement scenarios, analyzing proposed systems’ effectiveness under realistic conditions and comparing them with existing or alternative systems.

Comprehensive Electronic Attack (EA) Research and Development, Testing, and Evaluation

This research area includes countermeasure assessment for EW, covering RF, Electro-Optic/Infra-Red techniques. It encompasses the development and testing for ASCM, infrared countermeasures, laser countermeasures, RF, and EO/IR countermeasures, both on-board and off-board. The contractor’s work may span from basic research to development, testing, and supporting the integration of robust prototype systems on fleet platforms in laboratory and field environments.

High Power Microwave (HPM) System Development

This research area focuses on developing HPM systems and major components. The contractor’s work will utilize advances in HPM directed energy to design and fabricate major components and prototypes, performing tasks that involve measurements of performance in laboratory and field environments.

Tailoring the Output:

The ideal electromagnetic pulse depends on the target. HPEM DAT will likely explore methods to control the frequency, power level, and pulse duration of the emitted energy. High-powered radio waves can disrupt communication systems, while shorter millimeter waves can target specific electronic components.

Countermeasure Techniques: Protecting the Fleet

• Shielding and Filtering: Just like physical armor, electromagnetic shielding can protect a ship’s electronics from incoming pulses. HPEM DAT will likely explore advanced shielding materials and filtering techniques to counter various frequencies.
• Directed Energy Absorption and Dispersion: Another approach involves absorbing or dispersing the incoming electromagnetic energy before it reaches sensitive electronics. Techniques like using plasmonic materials or metamaterials could be investigated.
• Rapid Detection and Response Systems: The ability to quickly identify and react to an electromagnetic attack is crucial. HPEM DAT might explore sophisticated sensors and automated systems for real-time threat detection and mitigation.

Advanced Modeling and Simulation: Optimizing for Success

• Predicting Electromagnetic Effects: Accurately simulating how high-powered electromagnetic pulses interact with ships and their electronics is vital. HPEM DAT will likely leverage powerful computational tools to model these complex interactions.
• Virtual Testing Grounds: Before deploying these systems on actual ships, researchers can use simulations to test their effectiveness and identify potential weaknesses. This virtual testing environment allows for rapid iteration and optimization of the prototypes.

Directed Energy Source Development

Solid-state vs. Traditional Technologies: HPEM DAT will likely explore both established and cutting-edge methods for generating high-powered electromagnetic pulses. Traditional approaches might involve Marx generators or explosive-driven generators, which pack a punch but are bulky and complex. The project might also investigate solid-state devices using advanced semiconductors – these are more compact and potentially offer faster pulse repetition rates.

This research area involves developing HPM sources. The contractor will utilize basic and applied research developments in HPM directed energy to design and fabricate HPM sources, performing tasks that involve performance measurements in laboratory and field environments.

Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL) System and Component Development

This research area focuses on developing USPL components and systems. The contractor’s work will advance basic and applied research in USPL directed energy, moving towards the design and fabrication of USPL components and systems. Tasks include developing and fabricating devices in the optical chain of a USPL system, from the laser to adaptive optics and beam directors, in both laboratory and field environments.

Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL) Effects Research and Development

This area involves researching USPL interactions with materials, USPL propagation, operation, maintenance, test execution, application development, and understanding USPL systems’ state. The contractor’s work spans from basic research to supporting the development, testing, and integration of robust prototype systems on fleet platforms, in laboratory and field environments.

Directed Energy Analysis and Documentation

This task involves short-term studies and analysis, including modeling to understand the interaction of directed energy systems, sensors, and potential targets. Interest areas include interactions between DE systems and kinetic/non-kinetic weapons and techniques.

Conclusion

Emerging ship threats, such as small boat terrorist attacks, military swarm tactics, piracy, and the increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with surveillance and destructive capabilities, pose significant challenges to naval defense. The Naval Research Laboratory is actively seeking technical support to advance R&D in High Power Electromagnetic and Countermeasure Technologies.

The HPEM DAT project represents a significant push towards the next generation of electronic warfare capabilities for the Navy. By developing high-powered electromagnetic sources, effective countermeasures, and advanced simulation tools, the NRL is helping to ensure the U.S. Navy remains at the forefront of this critical technological battlefield.

This initiative is crucial for developing and deploying advanced ship defense systems that address the broad range of contemporary and emerging threats. With the right contractor support, the NRL aims to transition these cutting-edge technologies into operational capabilities for the fleet, ensuring enhanced security and operational effectiveness in maritime environments.