During the Talisman Sabre 2025 military exercise held in Australia, the U.S. military successfully employed an advanced electronic warfare (EW) system developed by L3Harris. This innovative technology was instrumental in detecting surface radars on marine vessels, showcasing its capabilities in real-time threat assessment and battlefield coordination.
The system, known as the cloud-hosted Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO), is designed to enhance decision-making processes by integrating data from various battlefield sensors, communication channels, and analytical methods into a cohesive electronic warfare network. During the exercise, DiSCO effectively analyzed and coordinated operations by utilizing information from a linked aircraft alongside two Seasats Lightfish autonomous vessels equipped with compact electronic warfare payloads.
Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris, highlighted the significance of DiSCO in the military drills. He noted that it provided the exercise commander with timely threat intelligence and actionable insights, which proved crucial in identifying high-priority surface targets and gaining a tactical edge. The technology not only showcased its operational value but also received accolades from numerous U.S. and coalition military leaders for its effectiveness in addressing real-world challenges.
Furthermore, the capabilities of DiSCO were also demonstrated in previous military exercises. Last year, during the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Valiant Shield 2024 field training exercise, which involved allied nations such as Japan, Canada, and France, the system was successfully utilized. In December, a subsequent demonstration took place in Washington, D.C., where DiSCO was integrated as a payload on a Seasats Lightfish autonomous surface vessel, gathering radio frequency data for further analysis.
The continued use and assessment of the DiSCO system underscore its growing role in modern military operations, highlighting the importance of advanced electronic warfare technologies in ensuring strategic advantages in complex environments.
