South Australia home to Raytheon EW vehicle

A vehicle designed to test cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) technologies on the go has been developed in South Australia. Defence leader Raytheon Australia has pioneered the Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement (EWTE) vehicle to fast-track the innovation of local and national EW solutions. The vehicle assists local defence industry and researchers to test and refine advanced EW technologies, such as blocking or intercepting enemy signals, while stopping the detection of our own. The custom-built vehicle was developed at Raytheon Australia’s Mawson Lakes facility, in collaboration with South Australian company REDARC Defence & Space, which created and installed the vehicle power sub-system and provided critical modifications to support electronic warfare equipment and operational needs. Last year, REDARC was able to expand its workforce after securing $2 million from the State Government towards Stage 1 of establishing an Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Hub, as part of the $154 million Economic Recovery Fund. With electronic warfare playing a crucial role in modern military operations, Australia is investing in advanced EW capabilities to enhance the ADF’s situational awareness and communications in contested environments, as part of AUKUS Pillar II. Raytheon Australia’s vehicle demonstrates the important contribution local industry is making in strengthening EW capabilities and providing technologies to all three AUKUS partners. South Australia is home to Raytheon Australia’s Centre for Joint Integration, the company’s largest operation, which employs more than 390 staff and delivers programs across sea, land, air and space domains. Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan said: “Raytheon Australia’s new Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement vehicle is a fantastic example of local industry collaboration and innovation and further cements South Australia’s position as a centre for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Importantly, this crucial asset will drive local innovation and the development of home-grown advanced EW technologies and capabilities, ensuring our defence industry continues to play a critical role in protecting Australia and its national interests.” Raytheon Australia Managing Director Ohad Katz said: “Today’s announcement is more than just launching a new electronic warfare vehicle – we have created a mobile electronic warfare lab that will allow Raytheon Australia and our industry partners support innovation and creation of sovereign capabilities to support existing programs and create new initiatives, such as those under the AUKUS Pillar II framework. We have designed, developed and integrated this capability right here in South Australia at our Centre for Joint Integration – a critical electronic warfare hub for the Australian Defence Force. What we have launched here today showcases the art of the possible through innovation and collaboration with Defence industry, and provides an opportunity for local industry and universities to be involved in this national initiative, which is a first of its kind for Australia. By investing to develop a state of the art electronic warfare test environment, Raytheon Australia is ready to best support the ADF in the next generation of threat environment analysis and to provide a step change to our national security endeavours.” REDARC Defence & Space Executive General Manager Scott Begbie said: “REDARC Defence & Space is excited to partner with Raytheon Australia on the groundbreaking Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement (EWTE) vehicle, a first-of its-kind mobile platform. Our close collaboration with Raytheon Australia, leveraging our expertise in vehicle integration of power and distribution systems, has delivered a robust and reliable mobile power solution. This custom-built system is critical for supporting the EWTE vehicle’s cutting-edge electronic warfare technologies, enhancing Australia’s Defence capabilities and demonstrating the power of sovereign innovation.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]