ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – To maintain a decisive advantage against near-peer adversaries, the U.S. Army has awarded contracts to Pacific Defense Strategies, SRC, and Herrick Technologies Laboratories to prototype the Electromagnetic Warfare Rapid Integration System (ERIS). ERIS is a forward-looking initiative designed to counter sophisticated radio frequency threats through adaptable, scalable technology.
This program will demonstrate that small, modular electromagnetic warfare systems can be deployed from air, ground, and autonomous platforms, providing the U.S. Army with the flexibility to control the electromagnetic spectrum. This effort directly supports future Army requirements nested within the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) Characteristics of Need (CON), ensuring our forces are equipped for the high-tech conflicts of tomorrow. A Phase 2 is planned to culminate with an operational demonstration of a down selected system.
In line with Army Acquisition reform, this effort is Capability Program Executive for Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare’s (CPE ISW) first solicitation under the Army Open Solicitation (AOS) and Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) authority. “The Commercial Solutions Opening plays an important role in our efforts to modernize and accelerate acquisition,” said Brent Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. “The ERIS program exemplifies this approach in action, demonstrating our commitment to equipping the force with advanced capabilities needed to outpace our adversaries.”
The CSO approach allows the U.S. Government to partner with commercial entities to accelerate the procurement process and allow the Government to access innovative technology and solutions without going through traditional contracting methods.
“The CSO approach is allowing us to rapidly acquire commercial technologies with high levels of availability that fulfill platform agnostic requirements for our ground and airborne EW missions,” said Col. Scott Shaffer, Project Manager, Electromagnetic Warfare and Collection (PM EW&C).