AI-Enabled Cognitive Electronic Warfare Capability Plugs Into F-16's Existing Radar Warning Receiver
TWZ's Jamie Hunter recently talked with Bryan Rosselli, President of advanced products and solutions for Raytheon, to get the lowdown on the AI-infused Cognitive Algorithm Deployment System (CADS) that is made to work with the company's AN/ALR-69 digital radar warning receiver (RWR). The biggest user of this RWR currently is the F-16 Viper fighter, but pairing it with CADS could work with many aircraft if AN/ALR-69 is integrated on them. Currently the RWR is also installed on KC-46 tankers and C-130 cargo planes, and will be on the Navy's upcoming MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones. CADS will also be able to plug into other types of systems to provide other AI-focused tasks.
In CADS, we are seeing the emergence of cognitive electronic warfare — the ability for an electronic countermeasure and radar warning system to autonomously adapt to radio frequency threats, including those that are not even loaded into its threat library. Clearly, the convenience of being able to install CADS on F-16s and other aircraft already equipped with AN/ALR-69 makes it a very attractive option that could really impact survivability of these platforms in future fights.
The video below, shot at the Air Force Association's 2025 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, last week, gives us a broader look at CADS and what it is supposed to do:
Contact the author: Tyer@twz.com
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