The Defense Advanced Research projects Agency (DARPA) selected BAE Systems for Phase 2 of its Adaptive Radar Countermeasures (ARC) program, the company said on Monday.

The ARC program is aimed at developing technology to automatically generate effective countermeasures against adversaries’ new, unknown, and adaptive radars in real-time in the field.

BAE logo

As part of Phase 2, BAE is to deliver a prototype system that features software algorithms capable of detecting and countering emerging radar threats. This would provide a capability enhancement without more costly hardware upgrades, the company said.

“Our work innovating next-generation EW technology will provide a major battlefield advantage and help create a smarter and safer environment for our warfighters,” David Logan, vice president and general manager of Technology Solutions at BAE Systems, said in a statement.

“Technology that adapts to overcome our adversaries’ digitally programmable air defenses is an important part of BAE Systems’ wider portfolio in cognitive programming for military systems.”

BAE previously completed work in Phases 1A and 1B to develop technology that leverages advancements in electronic warfare (EW) systems to rapidly characterize emerging radar threats, synthesize electronic countermeasures, and assess the effectiveness of the response. Phases 1 and 2 of the ARC program combined are a three-year, $21.6 million opportunity for BAE, the company noted.