BAE Systems unveils Shadow EW for small aircraft

BAE Systems has introduced the ‘Shadow EW’ family, a suite of compact electronic warfare solutions designed for small aircraft and unmanned platforms. These systems aim to provide situational awareness and self-protection in contested environments without the heavy size, weight, or power requirements of traditional electronic warfare equipment.

To facilitate rapid, large-scale production and improve supply chain efficiency, the Shadow EW architecture utilizes commercially available microchips for high-performance computing. This approach allows for more affordable, high-volume manufacturing and reduces reliance on highly specialized components. The systems are designed to be platform-agnostic, supporting both manned and unmanned aircraft through an open architecture that allows for post-deployment software updates.

Key capabilities of the Shadow EW family include threat awareness, targeting, deception, and survivability. The hardware is lightweight and low-power, making it suitable for space-constrained platforms like drones. Production is slated to take place at BAE Systems’ facility in Sioux City, Iowa, while software design and development will be conducted in Nashua, New Hampshire.