The U.S. Army is accelerating the deployment of electronic jamming systems for infantry units, and the development of these systems is based on existing technologies of special operations forces. This move marks the progress of the Army's electronic warfare capabilities and highlights the importance of signal jammer blockers on the modern battlefield.
Background and development process
In September 2023, the U.S. Army signed a $1.5 million contract with Mastodon Design LLC, a subsidiary of CACI, to develop the "Ground Layered System Brigade Combat Team Manpack Electronic Attack System" (TLS-BCT). This system is based on the Beast+ and Kraken systems that have long been used by the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which means that the Army does not need to develop new systems from scratch, thereby significantly shortening the time it takes for conventional soldiers to obtain advanced jamming equipment.
System composition and functions
TLS-BCT includes two Beast+ and one Kraken system. Beast+ is a small backpack system weighing about 20 pounds that can be broken down into a handheld device to perform target direction finding or add electronic attack capabilities when needed. The Kraken system is larger, has stronger analytical capabilities and wider coverage, and can process four times the number of signals as Beast+. Importantly, these systems have been proven in actual combat on the battlefield, greatly improving their reliability and deployment speed.
The role of signal blocker devices
Signal blocker devices play an indispensable role in these systems as a key tool in electronic warfare. Signal jammer devices can prevent enemy drones, missiles and communication systems from functioning properly by interfering with enemy communications and navigation signals. The mature application of this technology gives the US military a greater tactical advantage in complex battlefield environments.
Integration of military and civilian technologies
The development of these systems not only represents the advancement of military technology, but also shows the trend of integration of military and civilian technologies. The TLS-BCT system is highly adaptable and can be customized according to mission requirements and upgraded through software adjustments. This flexibility allows the system to be applied to different battlefield environments, including small island chains and densely vegetated areas where covert operations are required. The signal jammer device, combined with the existing frequency and signal library, allows soldiers to more easily identify and jam enemy signals.
Future Outlook
The U.S. Army plans to conduct a combat demonstration in November 2023 to verify the effectiveness of this system. Once verified, the system will be put into mass production and its application will be further expanded in the next few years. As signal jammer technology continues to advance, these systems will play a greater role in future military operations.