L3Harris, Shield AI Demo Autonomous Electronic Warfare Capability

L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI have  demonstrated how unmanned systems can detect, analyze and respond to electromagnetic threats in real time without human intervention.

Both companies plan to conduct live flight testing later this year with actual radio frequency emitters, platforms and payloads for coordinated electronic warfare operations.

To achieve autonomous electronic warfare capability, L3Harris’ electromagnetic battle management ecosystem known as Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO) was combined with Shield AI’s Hivemind mission-autonomy software.

“By integrating autonomous decision-making with advanced battle management technology, we’re answering the Pentagon’s urgent call for coordinated command and control of multiple unmanned systems,” said Lauren Barnes, President, Spectrum Superiority, Communications and Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris.

The real-time simulation involved DiSCO gathering and analyzing threat intelligence from multiple unmanned aircraft systems to create a fused common operating picture of the electromagnetic spectrum. The insights enabled the Hivemind-powered UAS to autonomously identify safe operating zones and execute tactical maneuvers.

Said Christian Gutierrez, Vice President, Hivemind Solutions, Shield AI. “Our integration with DiSCO shows that unmanned systems can sense and act across the electromagnetic spectrum in real time and we’re excited to build on this momentum with L3Harris and expand across the electronic warfare mission set.”

The demonstration also integrated an L3Harris electronic warfare vehicle, Green Wolf, equipped with electronic attack and other detection capabilities. Other elements of the test included the use of a software-defined radio payload that provided electronic support with Shield AI’s Hivemind software and UAS communications relay platform – all operating in an environment that replicated real-world conditions.