DEWM Announces Completion Of C-Band Variant, Direct To Phase II (D2P2) SBIR For X-Band Variant

Disruptive Electronic Warfare Machines (DEWM), the leading electronic warfare (EW) company in attritable assets, today announced the completion of the C-Band radio frequency (RF) variant and its Direct to Phase II (D2P2) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to develop the X-Band variant. The grant will enable DEWM to continue innovating its industry-leading product DART (DEWM’s attritable radar target).

Now offering C-Band capabilities, DART allows forces to train against a variety of signals that may be used in combat, especially near-peer foes in the Pacific. With JF-12 approval, it is the only low-cost attritable emitter to have successfully been detected in live-fire training exercises in C-Band. DART represents a significant advancement in military training technology, addressing critical gaps in current testing infrastructure that relies on outdated, immobile and cost-prohibitive emitter systems.

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force awarded DEWM the D2P2 SBIR award to develop its X-Band RF variant, on top of its S-Band and C-Band capabilities. The D2P2 program streamlines the traditional SBIR process by allowing proven technologies to bypass Phase I requirements and advance directly to Phase II development and testing.

“Current test and training environments are failing our forces by lacking the proper infrastructure and operational challenges of highly-mobile, dense surface-to-air threats,” said David “Tesla” Coyle, DEWM’s CEO. “DART’s mobility and cost-effectiveness allows for realistic threat density and unpredictable positioning that better reflects today’s battlefield.”

The system has undergone extensive testing throughout 2024. DART has been successfully detected at tactically relevant ranges such as Eglin Test and Training Range, Nevada Test and Training Range, and Utah Test and Training Range against F-16, F-35A/C and F-15E/EX, and EA-18G aircraft platforms. Testing has included collaboration with the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP), Combat Hammer, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, 158th Fighter Wing Vermont Air National Guard, REFORPAC, Silent Swarm, Tenacious Archer, T-REX, and TOPGUN.

Founded by Air Force veterans with over 45 years of combined experience in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare, DEWM is pioneering next-generation low cost threat emitter technology. The company’s leadership team includes graduates of the USAF Weapons School and former Weapons System Evaluation Program instructors.

About DEWM
Disruptive Electronic Warfare Machines (DEWM) is a defense technology company specializing in cost-effective electronic warfare solutions for military training and testing applications. Based in Niceville, Florida, DEWM is committed to preparing tomorrow’s warfighters for modern operational challenges through innovative, attritable technology systems.

About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 320 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit afwerx.com.

About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.