German Air Force deploys self-aware AI-integrated electronic warfare system

Swedish company Saab has just confirmed that the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has selected the Saab Arexis electronic warfare suite to equip the Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) fighter jet version.

Previously, in 2022, Berlin announced a project to upgrade and deploy 15 Eurofighters (the German army's main fighter jet) for electronic warfare (EW) operations.

“Arexis is the perfect match for Germany’s electronic warfare requirements for the Eurofighter,” said Ander Sjoberg, head of Saab’s German division. Notably, the project is being developed in collaboration with Helsing, an artificial intelligence (AI) company, which will be carrying out the bulk of the work at Saab’s facilities in Bavaria.

The Eurofighter fighter jet is in service with the German Air Force.

Accordingly, both companies will provide software packages for the German Air Force's electronic jamming attack escort aircraft (Eurofighter EK) by 2030. The integration of the Arexis system will be carried out by Airbus, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Eurofighter in Germany.

Arexis Sensor

The Eurofighter EK is positioned as a system-of-systems (SoS) jammer, comprising multiple independent, distributed systems integrated into a large and complex common system. This holistic approach aims to provide a powerful and flexible airborne electronic attack capability for fighter aircraft.

The German Air Force aims to upgrade sensors and specialized equipment for 15 Eurofighters to perform electronic warfare missions, replacing the system currently used la Panavia Tornado ECR.

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The integration of the Eurofighter EW variant is expected to be completed by 2028. The installation of Saab's sensor suite will unlock advanced capabilities that enhance the aircraft's reconnaissance and protection capabilities by integrating AI-based self-aware EW technologies.

Arexis has previously been integrated into the Saab Gripen E/F fighter jet. The Swedish manufacturer describes the system as a modular design that uses modern hardware and software, including leading AI algorithms to maintain superiority in solving electromagnetic challenges.

Arexis, in addition to being fully integrated into the aircraft, can also be flexibly deployed as a specialized mission device. However, the specific configuration of the Eurofighter EK has not yet been clearly revealed.

Electronic warfare is increasingly important

According to Saab's website, key features of the Arexis system include superior situational awareness in complex signal environments through the use of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) made from gallium nitride (GaN) - a high-power energy semiconductor.

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In addition, the system has unprecedented omnidirectional self-protection capabilities due to its advanced ultra-wideband receivers and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM).

The Arexis suite, fitted on Luftwaffe Eurofighters, will incorporate advanced AI-powered cognitive EW capabilities provided by Saab's partner, Helsing.

The AI platform is used to analyze radar data collected by the aircraft and quickly come up with solutions to protect itself from enemy radar. Helsing said the feature is also capable of continuous development and upgrade at the pace of software updates throughout the system's lifecycle.

Dr. Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-CEO of Helsing, emphasized the important role of EW in peer-to-peer warfare, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as an example.

“The war in Ukraine proves that EW plays an important role in modern warfare, and it is becoming increasingly flexible through the development of software applications,” said Helsing.

(According to EurAsian Times)

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