US Army Picks 3dB Labs to Develop Situational Awareness System

The US Army has signed a $6.1-million agreement with 3dB Labs to develop and demonstrate an electromagnetic spectrum situational awareness system for combat units.

The Spectrum Situational Awareness System (S2AS) is intended to improve the US Army’s understanding and utilization of the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling emissions control.

It will allow commanders to sense and report friendly emissions in real time in order to apply emission control.

Controlling emissions from the army’s command posts and emitters, such as operation centers and vehicle platforms, will reduce adversaries’ detection capability, enhancing battlefield survivability. 

“Modernizing spectrum awareness capabilities will enhance commanders’ ability to visualize and control the electromagnetic environment, enabling more effective decision making and improving protection to win the fight for spectrum dominance,” Assistant Product Manager for Product Manager Electronic Warfare Integration Maj. Cedric Harris said.

Spectrum Situational Awareness System

The system is designed for both local and self-protection applications, with deployment in both handheld and vehicular configurations.

The 14-month other transaction authority agreement through the Consortium for Command, Control, and Communications in Cyberspace involves phased prototyping and risk reduction.

The product is being developed with an eye on adversaries’ evolving spectrum detection capabilities through signal intelligence.

An operational demonstration is planned for fiscal 2026.

“S2AS directly enhances the survivability and effectiveness of our soldiers on the battlefield,” Project Manager Electronic Warfare and Cyber Ken Strayer stated.

“By integrating feedback from transformation in contact units, including electronic warfare soldiers and spectrum managers, we’re ensuring the system is specifically tailored to meet their operational needs.”