Military Technology 06/2021

Feature MT 6/2021 · 59 proven – are equipped with electromagnetic radiation sensors, working within different frequency rang- es, to explore the enemy’s electromagnetic environ- ment, while remaining un- detected in themselves. For instance, the FT-5 ŁOS drone, flying at an altitude of 3,000m with an elec- tromagnetic detector, can successfully detect radar stations from a distance of 500km or more. Additional EM monitoring is expected to be provided by other aerial platforms, such as the WARMATE loitering munition. These drones can also be used for deception – they can be equipped with radar reflectors, which can simulate much larger targets, such as aircraft or large UAS. W2MPIR is integrated with the WARMATE loitering munition, inclu­ ding the WARMATE-2 type, which is larger than the previous variant, and WARMATE-1 in the latest (3.0) version. The latter (3.0) has a more powerful warhead designed for striking high-value targets, such as antennas or any other source of EM emission. WARMATE-1 has a range of roughly 60 km, while for WARMATE-2 it is up to 240 km. Other types of loitering muni- tion can be integrated upon the request of a customer. W2MPIR can be also linked with traditional and rocket artillery, helicopters or conventional aircraft. W2MPIR and its subsystems use artificial intelligence and can engage targets autonomously, with a very limited use of GPS data. This include a take-off phase, flight to a designed zone, as well as a strike. For detection, observation, BLOS (Beyond the Line Of Sight) com- munications and laser target designation, W2MPIR relies on other WB Electronics’ systems, such as the FLYEYE mini-UAV (designed for ad- vanced aerial reconnaissance) or the FT-5 ŁOS tactical, multirole aerial platform (used for battlefield surveillance and observation). The latter can stay airborne for 4-14 hours (it depends on an engine type). They can be equipped with various sensors, including a day camera (3840x2160 CMOS), thermal camera (640x512), laser rangefinder and a laser target designator. Both FLYEYE and FT-5 are expected to be equipped with the PERAD low-emission tactical communication devices, which are a part of a sys- tem known as the SILENT NETWORK. This solution, also created by WB Group, was designed to work at a battalion-level. Moreover, the W2MPIR includes aerial signal re-transmitters, which increase a range of commu- nication systems of low electro-magnetic (EM) emission, making it difficult for an enemy to detect a communication of own troops. During the MSPO 2021 exhibition in Kielce, Poland, in September, WB Electronics – a private Polish company – presented its W2MPIR concept, designed as a reconnaissance/strike solution to neutralize the effects of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) zones. W2MPIR stands for Wielowarstwowy Wielozadaniowy Misyjny Powietrzny Inteligentny Rój, which translates to Multi-layered, Multi-role, Mission-oriented Aerial Intelligent Swarm. WB Electronics, a regional leader in the design and production of tactical UAS, communication and battle management systems, emphasizes the fact that this a purely Polish solution, with the company entirely independent of any foreign supplier. Some sub-systems used in the W2MPIR, such as the WARMATE low- cost loitering munition, have already been exported to foreign customers, including Ukraine and reportedly also India. The W2MPIR system is fully integrated with the TOPAZ C4I/BMS, which gives a commander real-time access to data from diverse sources in any battlespace. TOPAZ is already in service with the Polish Army. The underlying assumption of the W2MPIR – like the discipline of judo – is to convert the enemy’s power into weakness. In other words, to de- tect, jam, neutralise or destroy the various signals in the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum (especially radio frequencies) that are the hallmark of any modern military force. W2MPIR is presented as a low-cost solution in this regard, able to neutralise far more costly systems, such as radar sta- tions or communication centres – including antennas. Since it deploys both unmanned observation and strike systems for saturation attacks, the W2MPIR can temporarily shut down anti-access zones, or neutralise multi-layered air defense assets and C2 stations. The system can report- edly operate in a highly dense electronical environment, even in one in which satellite navigation data has been disrupted or denied. W2MPIR can detect, locate and either jam or kinetically destroy ra- dio-electronic and radar systems – in other words, all sources of electro- magnetic emissions – according to the manufacturer. The stronger the signal sources are, the easier it is to bring aerial effectors to bear: they can stay airborne until the appropriate moment to mount a strike arrives. Various airborne systems – relatively cheap and already operationally A research associate in the Department of Foreign Policy and Security Theory at the University of Lódz, Poland, Robert Czulda is an expert in international secu- rity and defence issues and a regular contributor to MilTech . Robert Czulda W2MPIR – a Polish Antidote to A2/AD W2MPIR is envisaged as a vital component of an integrated defence network, incorporating UAS and loitering munitions to disrupt, neutralize and negate enemy advantage. (Image via WB Group) ´ ´ f