Advanced_EW_Description for ETHEREAL FORGE sam.gov.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- FA221721389XX
- Issued by
-
Department of the Air Force
About this file
This document is a solicitation framework description for Advanced Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) technology candidates within the ETHEREAL FORGE program, which employs a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and targets Communities of Interest with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-7.
Advanced EW technology candidates must employ novel technical approaches or innovatively combine existing technology, incorporating one or more characteristics including AI/Machine Learning integration, software-defined and reprogrammable systems, simultaneous multi-functional capabilities, open and modular architecture, networked and collaborative design, and innovative RF hardware with low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP). The solicitation distinguishes between connected-state operations (M2M interfaces sharing electromagnetic situational awareness across line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight nodes to support rapid courses of action) and disconnected-state operations (autonomous mission execution without human intervention). Entry criteria require minimum TRL 4 with justifiable path to TRL 7 within the ETHEREAL FORGE timeline, no prior test history or previous test failures with addressed issues, DevSecOps and NIST software systems engineering processes, autonomous objective execution without human intervention, and full alignment with published Government-endorsed MOSA technical standards for hardware and software. The framework applies separate criteria across three EW functions: Electromagnetic Support (ES) requiring AI/ML-enabled pulse characterization and wideband receive capability; Electromagnetic Attack (EA) requiring autonomous effects generation, AI-enhanced mission management, and simultaneous transmit/receive capability; and Electromagnetic Protection (EP) requiring software-defined adaptive protection, electromagnetic-absorbent materials, and high dynamic range with minimal degradation when electromagnetically attacked.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| ETHEREAL FORGE SAM.gov Message 20260825.pdf |
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ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC
WARFARE (EW)
Within the context of ETHEREAL FORGE
Modular Open Systems Approach
(MOSA)
Communities of Interest Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
4–7 Candidates Only
DESCRIPTION
Advanced EW technology generally employs novel technical approaches to complex targets and problems and/or combines or repurposes existing technology in an innovative manner and generally exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
• Integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) (including Cognitive functions)
• Software Defined and Reprogrammable
• Simultaneously Multi-functional
• Open & Modular Architecture
• Networked & Collaborative
• Innovative Radio Frequency (RF) Hardware (antennas, arrays, low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP))
Connected state: Machine-to-machine (M2M) interfaces share electromagnetic situational awareness (SA) and execute coordinated effects across line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) nodes. Feeds the fused Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) picture — supports courses of action (COAs) in milliseconds to seconds.
Disconnected state: Accomplishes mission objectives autonomously without human intervention.
Developers may monitor — they may not touch.
APPLICATION ACROSS EW FUNCTIONS — Separate criteria apply to each
ELECTORMAGNETIC
SUPPORT (ES)
AI/ML-enabled pulse characterization, clustering, de-interleaving, parameter derivation, emitter/mode matching, and behavioral analysis and prediction.
Advanced materials. Wideband receive and transport of in-phase/quadrature (IQ) data for software-based processing.
ELECTROMAGNETIC
ATTACK (EA)
Autonomous effects generation and execution. AI-enhanced (or centric) mission management and COA generation. Simultaneous transmit (TX) and receive (RX) (STAR). Random signal modulation. Multi-platform effects coordination via M2M. Reprogrammable on-the-fly without hardware changes.
ELECTROMAGNETIC
PROTECTION (EP)
Software- and/or firmware-defined adaptive protection operating across all layers. Electromagnetic-absorbent materials. High dynamic range.
Minimal to negligible impacts or graceful degradation when electromagnetically attacked to include, but not limited to, Global Positioning System- and comms denial.
EXAMPLES OF ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES (NOT LIMITED
TO):
Applied Quantum Physics Magnetic-field detection · Compact wideband apertures · Photonic processing
Simultaneous TX/RX Digital isolation · Physical isolation · High dynamic range
Wideband IQ & Processing Software-only parallel processing · AI-enabled response · Low-latency intra-framework transport
Advanced Mission Management AI multi-platform control · Random signal modulation · RF absorbent materials
ETHEREAL FORGE ENTRY CRITERIA
TRL: Minimum TRL 4 — Maximum TRL 7 on entry PATH: Justifiable path to TRL 7 within ETHEREAL FORGE timeline TEST HISTORY: Not previously tested — or tested, not passed (assuming issue(s) addressed) Cyber Security: DevSecOps (Development, Security, and Operations) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) software systems engineering processes AUTONOMY: Executes objectives without human intervention MOSA: Full alignment with published, consensus-based, Government endorsed MOSA technical standards for both hardware and software Application: Separate EA, ES, and EP criteria apply — see full framework when available
Advanced EW is not a product — it is an unsolved problem. If your capability is fielded and performing, FORGE is not your venue. If you are still breaking it — drop us a line.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .