NATO STO

This is a long standing activity under SCI panel that was initiated in 1989 as NATO research study groups under the former Defence Research Group (DRG) and the current Science and Technology Organization (STO), and has conducted research concerning the threat imposed by RF Directed Energy Weapons (RFDEW) to military as well as civilian infrastructure. Very good progress has been made to date with the most recent program of the SCI-250 Task Group (TG) entitled RFDEW in Tactical Scenarios. During the SCI-250 TG, trials were conducted and effects were demonstrated on a variety of configurations including C4I military infrastructure, UAV, and limited engine stopping. The focus of the SCI-250 TG was critical infrastructure facilities and associated electronics. The output of the SCI-250 TG will be a demonstration video, a final report, and a recommendation to produce a NATO RFDEW test standard, which will inform senior stake holders about the use and the potential that RFDEW /NLW capabilities can offer to the military operations. The main aim of this new task group is to conduct testing and analysis of RFDEW effects on electronically controlled vehicles, vessels, UAVs. This will provide NATO allies with a good appreciation of the potential capability of RFDEW for this particular non-lethal weapon application. RFDEW have the potential to non-lethally stop vehicles and vessels to provide an additional option in the escalation of force and assist in determining intent of potential threats. This capability could be employed at NATO facilities as part of a force protection package. The main thrust of the TG effort will be vehicle and vessel stopping, and UAV vehicles will lead to quantitative investigations of the effectiveness of RFDEW. For example, a quantitative investigation of the impacts of RFDEW on UAV engine controls could also be pursued. As the above investigations are carried out, the TG will also investigate the Counter-DEW issues associated with these RF effects on NATO platforms. In addition, in order to facilitate the ability of stakeholders to assess the operational effectiveness of RFDEW capabilities, it is important that consistent test procedures are utilized in the various trails that are conducted during the course of this and future TGs. Thus, this TG will also be responsible for developing a NATO RFDEW Test Standard to support testing and the evaluation of military utility.