WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has been hampered by electronic
systems meant to foil improvised explosive devices in Iraq.
Officials said the jammers used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps have
disrupted tactical radio systems. They said the loss of communications has
endangered troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Naval Sea Systems Command has cited the Counter Radio Controlled
Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare systems, known as CREW. The
U.S. Navy manages the joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of
Defense's Joint IED Defeat Organization, Middle East Newsline reported.
In a Request for Information from U.S. contractors, the navy said the
IED jammer has also been disrupted by battle radio systems. As a result, the
RfI said, the IED jammers have become ineffective.
Officials said IEDs have been the leading cause of military casualties
in Iraq, accounting for more than 40 percent of all American deaths. In
December 2006, the navy awarded a $79.5 million contract to BAE Systems to
produce 3,800 wearable CREW systems for all four services in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
The navy has sought a solution that would enable simultaneous operations
of IED jammers and tactical communications systems in the same location or
vehicle. The RfI stipulates a small and light interference mitigation
system.
The RFI has called for the interference mitigation system to protect
UHF, VHF and HF communications systems. The radios would include manpack and
vehicle radios as well as tactical satellite systems.
