Wolfs Packs Distributed ground sensors could offer low-cost, pers

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Wolfs Packs Distributed ground sensors could offer low-cost, pers

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JANUARY 2007
Wolfs Packs
Distributed ground sensors could offer low-cost, persistent path into enemy networks
DAVID FULGHUM/NASHUA, N.H.
future electronic attack will involve large aircraft carrying massive antennas blasting forth bursts electronic noise. Instead, some electronic warfare specialists developing cheap (less than $500 each quantities 25,000), breadloaf-size ground sensors packaged high-impact plastic containers that carry relatively dumb, unclassified sensor payloads. However, when connected network, those sensors-valued their inexpensive persistence-become much smarter. These networks could remotely configured conduct surveillance, analysis and, higher-power version, perhaps even electronic attack. Planning already underway involve them distributed suppression enemy ground communications, defense communications defenses. devices also being designed delivery from aircraft deep-launch devices such missiles. "THERE ALTERNATIVE ways electronic attack" other than high-power, electronic jamming, says Larrie Cable, Systems vice president general manager information dominance systems. "One foremost ways [yet fully exploited distributed sensors. That's where we're putting money. It's going provide extreme growth capability. We've spent effort making sure distributed systems form mesh networks without operator intervention.
"Once start putting those sensors battlefield coordinated way, many current threats we're having such tough time with-like lowpower wireless communications-become accessible," says. "It's very hard prosecute them from standoff ranges [which could 100-200 mi.]. Ground sensors UAVs will primary systems." Researchers Systems developed WolfPack system ground sensors several years coffee-can-size devices with final cost predictions $2,000 more. vacuum cleaner-size version-AirWolf-was designed location, re-locate itself when needed recharge batteries. systems were demonstrated Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), Army other military audiences. PROVE could lowand high-frequency communications intercept, interdiction denial well radar intercept interdiction," Cable says. were able that because [reprogrammable electronics] concept that says worry about aperture programming, you've designed [Electronic Warfare] that configured whatever want." "But didn't have service signed fund final development fielding, says David Blundell, company's director ground systems information warfare. didn't look like were getting traction with approaches were taking."
After considering system's potential, Darpa's leadership "challenged come with WolfPack which each Wolf cost only $500," about price three expensive cell phones, Blundell says. Darpa chief Tony Tether also asked company officials accept fixed price. addition, target system shifted from traditional threats operations high-density urban environments that require greater processing power output within each Wolf. "And keep unclassified," Blundell says. "That's really hard problem." However, project progressing. "We're proving signal processing ability geo-location target emitters] urban environment. were able form network from inside 14-floor building despite surrounding structures. Each piece WolfPack doesn't have much knowledge, collective situational awareness." current approach have couple dozen sensors make each WolfPack. network self-configuring self-managing well being able conserve network's power. technique involves working subnets. task network master-which requires most power-also switches periodically. master also reconfigure network truck runs over Wolf otherwise destroyed. breakthrough partner with commercial side M/A-Com Corp. which provides cell-phone manufacturing capability.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE
"That's innovation," Blundell says. "We're taking commercial cell phone technology applying knowledge [how establish] situational awareness emitter location, come with this approach WolfPack." master unit designed smart enough wake specific parts Pack when needs work, form communication networks, accept tasks detect signals when event interest occurs. questions remain open. Will enough Wolfs hear target precisely located? they observe long enough understand what's going around them? Power generation energy conversion also problems solved. "DARPA LOOKING general capability," says. "That version going have megawatt power," which considered minimum standoff electronic attack. "What drops specific capabilities list? What alternative methods detection, identification interdiction must used? Pack make decisions. It's smart enough listen people talk characterize available data make intelligent choice about which node turn into jammer maximum energy receiver deny communication. "For near-term evaluation, M/ACom Corp. "delivered system about size lunch in.] that we're testing ranges," Blundell says. "The pops open deploy antenna. gives testbed well software works. We'll about [individual Wolf sensors] delivered this winter. Next summer we'll testing Pack with 6-in.] breadloaf-size sensors." Ultimately, "we're looking services say, example, want tailored bigger loaf bread with more batteries,'" says. need move Darpa world convince services that this new, reliable intelligence gathering." Developing advanced capabilities distributed sensors distributed active could solve systemic problem military. organized, single example, gathers senV, information that exploited. "But then have bring different organizations with different platforms able respond either electronically with kinetic weapons," Cable says. need break those stovepipes that keep intelligence guys separate from electronic warfare, electronic attack weapons guys. Once have `mission demand' [through common, flexible payload] will reduce time delivery, collateral impact cost."
Call M/A-COM toll-free (800) 366-2266 visit site www.macom.com.
Posted from Aviation Week, January 2007, copyright McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. with rights reserved. This reprint implies endorsement, either tacit expressed, company, product, service investment opportunity. #1-20342640 Managed Reprint Management Services, 717.399.1900. request quote online, visit www.reprintbuyer.com.

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