Open Architecture SDRs Provide Aircraft Operating System Backbone

BAE Systems has successfully flight tested its Small Adaptive Bank of Electronic Resources (SABER) technology, paving the way for a critical software upgrade to the USAF’s EC-37B COMPASS CALL next-generation electronic warfare aircraft, the company announced on 5 April.

The SABER system is a major technological advance – transitioning from hardware to software-based electromagnetic spectrum warfare capability. It is built on a suite of software-defined radios (SDR) using an open system architecture and will provide the backbone of the EC-37B’s operating system.

“SABER allows flexibility to update systems without significant physical reconfiguration,” commented Pam Potter, Director of Electronic Attack Solutions at BAE Systems. “It also adapts to new applications as well as revisions to existing applications. It is the technology that will enable the US Air Force to rapidly and proactively respond to emerging enemy threat systems.”

SABER complies with US DoD standards to embed protective measures during product design, as well as leverages an open architecture to enable hosting of various government contracted applications. Additional SABER testing in 2021 will focus on simultaneity of engagement capacity, dynamic resource sharing, rapid integration, and operation of multiple additional applications.