Northrop Grumman’s Combat Electronic Environment Simulator (CEESIM) has been selected to play a vital role in a newly established Enhanced Weapons Lab. This advanced system is designed to deliver high-fidelity radio-frequency simulations that rigorously test weapons, mission systems, and survivability suites in realistic combat conditions.
Traditionally, testing on open-air ranges has limitations, particularly in reproducing dense threat environments. In contrast, CEESIM generates controlled and repeatable radio frequency scenarios, enabling engineers to validate the responses of aircraft sensors and electronic warfare processors to both modern and emerging threats effectively.
James Conroy, the vice president for targeting and survivability at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the significance of this selection for future enhancements in survivability measures. He asserted, “Spectrum superiority begins in the lab with CEESIM,” further noting that precise threat modeling is crucial for accelerating advancements across fifth-generation platforms.
Northrop Grumman has designed CEESIM with a modular approach, offering both standard and compact variants. This versatility ensures that customers can customize configurations to suit various requirements and lab dimensions effectively.
The company has been instrumental in providing radio-frequency simulation support to Lockheed Martin since the initial stages of fifth-generation fighter development. This collaboration has involved supplying systems that are utilized by both U.S. and international military fleets.
In the broader context of electronic warfare simulation technology, recent U.S. initiatives have focused on creating realistic and high-fidelity environments for the development of next-generation systems. For instance, in August 2025, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) introduced the Digital RF Battlespace Emulator, which is touted as the world’s largest real-time electronic warfare test range. This system is capable of simulating complex electromagnetic environments using software-defined models and high-performance computing, enabling developers to assess advanced RF and electronic warfare capabilities without the need for live ranges.
Moreover, in late 2024, L3Harris showcased its Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations electronic warfare architecture, demonstrating its capacity to collect radio frequency data and stream it in real-time for analysis. This innovation highlights the potential for networked electronic warfare sensors to operate collaboratively, effectively detecting and responding to threats across multiple domains.
