The Army is seeking technologies to conduct recurring experiments that explore new intelligence and electromagnetic warfare capabilities for the "complex battlefield," according to a service announcement.
“As seen in past and current conflicts, forces adapt tactics, techniques and procedures at a rate that will challenge the ability to forecast and confirm enemy courses of action,” the Jan. 3 announcement reads.
Known as Vanguard 2024, the effort aims to develop intelligence and electromagnetic warfare capabilities that can address learning demands and integrate into new warfighting concepts that “increase the Army’s capabilities, survivability, and lethality,” according to the announcement.
“To survive a complex, contested, congested and transparent battlefield, friendly and enemy forces will continuously reorganize as self-composable edge organizations,” the announcement adds.
Desired technologies include threat simulators, high-altitude electromagnetic warfare systems and robotics.
Threat simulators should be designed to replicate a realistic electromagnetic environment while being able to withstand transport rigors, connect to a common radio network and emulate signals from several types of radars.
The high-altitude electromagnetic warfare systems should be able to operate above 65,000 feet, weigh less than 110 pounds and be able to connect with ground stations.
Robotics should have modular payloads, anti-tamper capabilities, integrate with existing networks and operate independently or with human involvement.
“These systems will offload the human risks of ground collection operations by allowing soldiers to remain in sanctuary out of range of enemy kinetic effects, thereby offering a means to gather critical information in non-permissive environments,” the announcement adds.
Phases for technology selection include technology selection followed by technical integration, execution and evaluation and reporting.
The Army Intelligence Center will partner with Army Futures Command through the Intelligence Capability Development Integration Directorate and its Intelligence Battle Lab to conduct the experiments.
The Army will run Vanguard 2024 experiments on Sept. 8-24, 2024.
In July, then-Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George told lawmakers that electronic warfare was a priority pending his confirmation to lead the service.