In the modern battlefield, unmanned technology has become a crucial force multiplier, offering unprecedented capabilities and strategic advantages. Among these technologies, unmanned ground vehicles equipped with radio frequency sensors (UGV-RF) stand out for their potential to revolutionize combat operations. UGV-RF can play a critical role in intelligence collection, base/force protection, air defense/c-UAS, and electronic warfare support to maneuver forces.
Employing UGV-RF not only multiples the sensors a Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) team can use on the battlefield, but they also can be employed when and where soldiers cannot, such as in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) environments. A fleet of connected UGV-RF can create a sensor wall that could move as the line of contact moves and conduct advanced signal geolocation and capture that informs the targeting cycle.
This blog introduces the benefits of employing RF sensors on UGVs.
An RF sensor can be quickly mounted to either the external body of a UGV or to a mast that is affixed to the UGV. The mast can be extendable, retractable, or have a fixed height, elevating the RF sensor up to 10 meters.
It is best practice to situate the RF sensor antennas as far away as possible from the UGV’s C2 transmitters. If it must be located nearby C2 transmitters or radar RF filters can be applied—ensuring maximum sensor sensitivity. Also, if the RF sensor is placed within the internal payload bay or fixed externally, it can be powered directly from the UGV battery or motor.
Image 1: The Node 100-18 LW is an example of an RF sensor with edge processing that has been optimized for SWaP-C. It weighs less than 2 kg, which extends UGVs’ operational range and increases payload space.
To overcome the low height of most UGVs, deploying a tethered drone from a UGV provides a height advantage of 10–15 times greater than a fixed mast. This allows the UGV-RF to position a sensor up to 50 meters (164 feet) in altitude, capturing spectrum typically blocked by buildings, hills, or other obstructions.
The power drawn from the tethered UAV can impact the UGV’s battery bank; therefore, this solution is particularly effective for larger UGVs. Additionally, placing an RF sensor high above the UGV reduces the need for RF filtering of the UGV’s own C2 transmitters, thereby increasing the sensor’s sensitivity.
While deploying a tethered drone could expose the UGV’s position, its 100% passive RF emissions (as the information runs through the tethering cable), and the operator's ability to hover the drone just above a tree line or a building can minimize counter-detection.
Image 2: Image demonstrating how attaching a UAV to a vehicle can increase line-of-site.
One of the most significant advantages of integrating RF sensors on UGVs is their ability to provide enhanced situational awareness across wide battlespaces and close-in tactical scenarios. Understanding the surroundings and detecting potential threats is critical in a combat environment. RF sensors can detect and analyze electromagnetic signals, including communications and radar emissions, giving operators a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
This capability allows for:
Recent conflicts show that air defense is most effective when mobile and using tactics such as “scoot and shoot.” UGV-RF can assist by providing an unmanned Electronic Support Measure (ESM) sensor that can be mobilized around the operational area. Geolocations from the UGV-RFs can feed directly into a centralized C2 suite, where the air defense operators can use the RF data to tip and queue other sensors, such as radar or cameras.
Specifically, the UGV-RF supports air defense and c-UAS in two ways:
Image 3: Detectable signals emitted by an aircraft
As military forces shift from fixed command posts to more mobile ones, often referred to as Jump Command Posts (Jump CPs), UGV-RF can play a crucial role in maintaining spectrum situational awareness. Instead of relying on mobile towers or manned watch posts, UGV-RF can detect and geolocate enemy signals, identify friendly jamming activities, and measure the spectrum occupancy around the command post to ensure resilient communications. By deploying UGV-RF, the CEMA team can significantly reduce personnel requirements, allowing one or two operators to manage 5–10 UGVs rather than needing 5–10 personnel on a watch rotation.
Instead of investing in large, manned Electronic Warfare vehicles, a national training range could use UGV-RF to simulate mobile enemy EW threats. A fleet of UGV-RF could be deployed to the range and controlled by 1–2 OPFOR operators to triangulate friendly PACE plan signals from squads, vehicles, and CPs. The training audience can then attempt to geolocate the UGV-RF’s communications backhaul, mimicking the exploitation of emissions from enemy SIGINT/EW platforms. Additionally, UGV-RFs can move based on pre-planned waypoints without requiring communication backhaul, making them more challenging targets for friendly forces.
While it could operate as a standalone sensor, the UGV-RF becomes a true force multiplier when it becomes another nodal element in a larger RF sensor network. For example, a UGV-RF (equipped with the RFeye LW Node 100-18) can be one element of a TDoA signal geolocation network that includes fixed masts, vehicle-mounted systems (V-TRACK), or even a UAV with a RF payload hovering over the operating area. Instead of being limited by one sensor employment method, UGV-RFs allow for dispersed sensing operations and decrease the demand for soldiers to manually operate sensors.
Integrating RF sensors into UGVs offers transformative advantages in combat scenarios. These sensors enhance situational awareness, improve operational safety, support tactical decision-making, enable electronic warfare capabilities, and act as force multipliers. As warfare evolves, UGVs equipped with RF sensors will become increasingly vital, providing military forces with the technological edge needed to achieve mission success and protect lives. Incorporating RF sensors into UGVs is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic imperative that can redefine the future of ground combat operations. As nations invest in advanced military technologies, deploying UGVs with RF sensors will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the modern battlefield.
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