Army Adopts Flexible Approach to Electronic Warfare Acquisition

The Army is changing its approach to acquiring electronic warfare (EW) capabilities by emphasizing flexible, modular solutions and faster integration of new technologies. This shift is reflected in updated acquisition practices and recent budget planning documents.

Industry partners are being asked to submit proposals for EW systems that address a range of operational challenges using adaptable, open-architecture designs. The Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S) is using Commercial Solutions Openings and modular open systems to work with companies outside of traditional contracting frameworks.

Gen. Randy George stated that agile funding mechanisms enable the Army to purchase EW capabilities rather than focusing on specific named systems. This approach supports the adoption of modular and open-architecture equipment, allowing for more rapid updates and integration of new technologies as they become available.

The Army’s FY2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget documents indicate a realignment that supports the rapid transition of EW technologies from laboratories, industry, and academic partners into operational programs. The budget emphasizes the use of agile and flexible development processes to accelerate this transition.

What the numbers show

• The FY2026 RDT&E budget realignment was published on March 19, 2026
• The Electromagnetic Warfare Rapid Integration System (ERIS) development uses phased OTA awards
• xTechDisrupt competition requires EW solutions to be demonstrated within 30 days

The Electromagnetic Warfare Rapid Integration System (ERIS) is one example of the Army’s new approach. ERIS is being developed as a modular, open-architecture EW platform, with phased Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards supporting the integration of both high-altitude and vehicle-mounted payloads.

The Army’s xTechDisrupt competition has identified EW as a priority area for agile and adaptive capabilities. The competition requires that proposed solutions be compatible with existing Department of Defense programs and be ready for demonstration within a 30-day timeframe, further emphasizing the focus on rapid development and deployment.

By using Commercial Solutions Openings and modular open systems, PEO IEW&S is able to partner with industry in ways that are more flexible than traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts. This allows for more diverse participation from industry and can accelerate the delivery of new EW capabilities to operational units.

Overall, the Army’s updated acquisition strategy and budget planning reflect a move toward greater agility and adaptability in the development and fielding of electronic warfare technologies. These changes are intended to ensure that new EW capabilities can be integrated quickly in response to evolving operational needs.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.