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UK's Dstl tests next-generation electromagnetic concepts

By Tamara Rozouvan |

A flight representative radar warning receiver seen feeding a recognised electromagnetic picture in concert with dedicated electronic surveillance systems, as part of Dstl equipment trial Spectral Prophet, as announced on 13 January 2025. (Dstl)

The UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) tested emerging and next-generation electromagnetic (EM) concepts as part of a trial called Spectral Prophet, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a 13 January press release.

The demonstration of emerging EM prototypes displayed some of the ways the technology could be integrated into operations, including deception and countermeasures in offensive and defensive capacities.

Numerous equipment were involved in the trials, including new-generation electromagnetic warfare (EW) sensors, prototype software-defined radios (SDRs), a radar warning receiver for electronic support measures (ESM), radars, and research sensors, Dstl told Janes on 14 January.

As part of the tests, sensors with ranges of approximately 10 km were deployed on Dstl's Porton Down range, to try and combine data from multiple sensors and effectors to improve situational awareness in targeting hypothetical enemy command-and-control (C2) systems.

The Spectral Prophet trial sought to improve on an existing recognised electromagnetic picture (REMP) by using extra data sources and utilising the EM spectrum to try and extend sensing range. While not revealing exact ranges, Dstl told Janes that in-communication sensing was employed amid varying ranges depending on the systems targeted.

The command, control, and communications (C3) system deployed during the trials was “predominantly IP [internet protocol]-based”, Dstl said, with primary C2 provided by mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs).

The protocols exchanged over these networks were designed to accommodate all EM modalities. These were built from Dstl's developmental Tactical Operational Electromagnetic Database (TOED), which works “in conjunction with existing international EM data standards”, said Dstl.

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