Australian defence company Mellori Solutions has unveiled Blue Jay Mobile, a portable and versatile radio frequency (RF) testing system that can simulate real-world electromagnetic conditions to better prepare for dynamic operational environments. Following rigorous field trials, Blue Jay Mobile is now available to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and allied partners with a uniquely adaptable system tailored to the growing demands of modern-day electromagnetic warfare (EW).
Mellori Solutions Managing Director Phil Guy said the Blue Jay Mobile system introduced unprecedented flexibility for on-site RF testing and could be configured to meet diverse operational requirements. Named after the Blue Jay bird for its remarkable ability to mimic sounds, this system replicates complex electromagnetic signals, providing a powerful new tool for training and mission assurance in RF-intensive contexts.
Mellori Solutions’ Chief Engineer Dan Peabody, an EW specialist with 25 years’ experience in the field, coordinated the system’s development. “Blue Jay Mobile sets itself apart for its specialised RF testing capabilities, enabling operators to conduct comprehensive testing of EW systems with ease,” said Peabody. “Unlike bulky and heavy RF testing systems that are difficult to reposition quickly, Blue Jay Mobile is lightweight, highly portable and easy to deploy. This makes it the ideal solution for dynamic testing, such as ensuring sensor performance on ships at sea, where operational needs demand rapid, accurate validation.”
Guy said the company’s field trials were highly successful given the team used its knowledge from deployments to design a solution that meets both cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency. “With Blue Jay Mobile, there’s no need to invest in larger systems with long-range capabilities that aren’t necessary for all use cases,” he said. “It fills a critical gap in the market, providing a configurable solution for accurate testing across various environments – whether for naval operations in port, ground-based testing for the Air Force or deployed field testing for the Army.”
The versatile system logs and benchmarks data from previous test missions, allowing operators to easily recall past test configurations and parametric information. “This logging feature is essential for platforms operating in challenging environments, where consistent sensor performance is crucial to ensuring self-defence systems remain fully functional and operators remain confident of its accuracy and timely delivery of electromagnetic data,” Guy said.
Blue Jay-M provides guaranteed baseline testing across the full 500 MHz to 40 GHz spectrum as standard, including frequency ranges often impacted by natural atmospheric absorption. It is also configurable, enabling operation across a wide range of frequency bands to support various applications. The system can be rapidly deployed and set up in under 15 minutes. Its modular design allows Blue Jay-M to be divided into subsystems, making it highly transportable, even when travelling on commercial flights. The intuitive user interface streamlines complex testing processes allowing operators to focus on their mission-critical tasks.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to develop this transformative solution in alignment with the ADF directive of capability at pace,” Guy said. “Blue Jay Mobile not only meets current operational needs but also anticipates future challenges in the electromagnetic warfare landscape.”
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