SOCOM awards drone company $6.9M for system to overcome radio interference

U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded a $6.9 million contract to drone technology company PDW today for delivery of a radio system that can overcome contested radio-frequency environments.

The radio system, called Blackwave, “is a secure, digital link that is resistant to intentional and unintentional interference,” a PDW press release said.

"The war in Ukraine has made it clear that drone systems must complete missions in highly contested environments where radio interference and unreliable GPS are the rule rather than the exception,” company CEO Ryan Gury said in the release.

Blackwave, which allows communications and small robotics to operate in jammed environments, was tested by the Joint Vulnerability Assessment Branch, proving “to be a durable, tactical wireless link,” according to the company.

“The partnership between PDW and USSOCOM furthers their commitments to military innovation by solving problems in an evolving battlefield and arming the future warfighter with state-of-the-art technology,” the company said.