NASHUA, N.H. -- BAE Systems recently completed its final demonstration of the current phase of the WolfPack program to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other government officials at the Fallon Range Training Complex in Nevada.

WolfPack is a DARPA Advanced Technology Office (ATO) program which is developing technologies to deny enemy use of communications and radars throughout the battlespace. The networked system will be comprised of autonomous, ground-based monitors/jammers cooperatively linked to avoid disruption of friendly military and protected commercial radio communications and radars.

The final successful demonstration of Phase IV consisted of three segments, each focusing on operational scenarios that tasked the deployed WolfPack to detect, identify, geolocate and jam both radar and communication emitters.

Preston Marshall, DARPA program manager, stated, "The demonstration proved the validity of the WolfPack concept, which will allow war fighters to operate effectively while denying enemy use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. DARPA is excited about the potential capability for the war fighter."

The next phase (Phase V) of the program will improve and increase functionality while creating a smaller, lighter and more power-efficient WolfPack. DARPA is developing long-term plans with the U.S. Army for deployment via airborne and deep-launch devices, and is working with the U.S. Air Force in a distributed suppression of enemy air communications. Initial discussions with the U.S. Navy are taking place for littoral and force protection missions.

The demonstration completes a two-year, $23 million contract from DARPA's Advanced Technologies Office (ATO), and BAE Systems is in negotiation for the next phase.

Keith Lewis
30.04.2005