DARPA picks BAE to lead 'WolfPack'

WolfPack

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently selected BAE Systems to develop miniaturized, unattended ground sensors capable of detecting, identifying and jamming enemy communications for its WolfPack program.

WolfPack consists of small, unattended sensors that can be placed at areas of interest using a variety of methods. Once deployed, the individual sensors, or "wolves," self-organize into "packs" to determine optimum detection and jamming strategies. In each pack, gateway nodes provide data to users, and the system can detect and jam many threat signals, according to DARPA.

As envisioned, the program will enable users from early-entry forces, special-operations forces, and the Army and Marine Corps to protect friendly communications, while helping the warfighter monitor and disrupt enemy communications and radar signals.

DARPA's Advanced Technology Office awarded BAE's Information and Electronic Warfare Systems the two-year, $22.8 million contract March 25. According to DARPA documents, the main technical challenges include the development of:

* Functional, low-power algorithms for autonomous detection, location and classification.

* Compact broadband antennas.

* Autonomous deployment methods.

WolfPack will use BAE's Signal Intelligence Diamond Software Architecture and will be interoperable with the Adaptive Joint Command, Control, Communications, and Computer, Intelligence and Reconnaissance program, which the Nashua, N.H.-based company is also developing for DARPA.

WolfPack team members also include BAE's Integrated Defense Solutions, M/A-COM, Herrick Laboratories, Telcordia Technologies Inc. and ILC Dover Inc.