Arc Labs · Canberra, Australia
Distributed electromagnetic sensing across the force
See it. Understand it. Protect against it.
The Problem
Every element of a modern force radiates, and a position seen in the spectrum can be found and struck within minutes. Drones loiter while their control links transmit, jamming is routine, and satellite navigation is denied as a matter of course. Yet the units most exposed are the least able to see it. Electronic support is scarce, held centrally and requested rather than carried.
Our Approach
Distributed electromagnetic sensing across the force
Electromagnetic Force Protection (EMFP) treats the spectrum the way Defence already treats physical security, camouflage and counter-IED protection: as force protection fitted to the platforms that meet the threat, not a specialist asset held in reserve. It is not just counter-drone. It is counter-radiofrequency: drones, jammers, datalinks, radios and anything unexpected.
Passive
Effect achieved by receiving. Coordination traffic is minimal, encrypted and can be shut down.
Mass before quality
More sensors spread wider, rather than a better receiver. Accuracy comes from geometry.
Wide and open coverage
Scan the bands of interest, detect the unexpected and classify it.
Little or no operator
Emplaced in minutes without radio training. Users see a threat marker, not a spectrum display.
Graceful degradation
As sensors are lost the answer falls from a position to a bearing to an alert, but never to nothing.
Identical and attritable
One hardware build, role set in software, cheap enough to lose.
Integrated by default
Output goes into the command applications already in use. No new screen.
Independent of satellite timing
Jamming degrades the answer without disabling the sensor.
RaspberrySauce
RaspberrySauce
Distributed sensing, together
RaspberrySauce is a mesh of identical, low-cost sensors that detect, classify and locate emitters together. Each sensor reduces what it hears to a compact report, so decisions cross the network rather than raw data. Results appear in the command and control tools units already use.
Sense
Wideband receivers covering from the low MHz to high GHz.
Classify
Different signal classes, using explainable rules refined by machine learning.
Locate
Bearings fused across the mesh into a position, shown with its error radius.
Report
Into existing command and control Common Operating Picture as Cursor on Target, with no operator in the loop.
Where It's Used
Across the force and beyond
On the move
One sensor per vehicle, so the mesh travels with the convoy or combat team.
Fixed sites and airbases
An array across a base and its approaches warns of drone operators on the surrounding roads and can cue counter-drone systems.
Training
Measure a force's own electromagnetic signature objectively.
Dual-use
Airports, correctional facilities and critical infrastructure that need to see who is transmitting nearby.
Where We Are
Current status
Sensing platform at Technology Readiness Level 6, demonstrated to the Australian Army
Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member and AUKUS registered user
Research pathway with UNSW; alumni of the Defence Trailblazer Entrepreneur Foundations Program
Canberra-based and veteran-owned, with Australian-designed software and fabrication
White Paper
Electromagnetic Force Protection: distributed electromagnetic sensing across the force
J. Stredwick
Why the lessons of counter-IED protection point to passive, distributed spectrum sensing as a force protection requirement in its own right.
Download the white paperPartner With Us
Work with us
We're looking for co-design partners — units, bases, primes and operators — to explore this space with us and design solutions together. Talk to us about evaluation, trials and partnership.
Or email us directly: [email protected]