IDEX 2025: Allen-Vanguard launches next-gen RF multi-function CEMA platform

Radio frequency (RF) protection specialist Allen-Vanguard is launching the advanced core that will underpin its next-generation family of RF multi-function cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA) platforms.

The technology, which allows frontline troops to quickly and easily dominate the CEMA space and protect themselves from threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs), will be presented at the IDEX 2025 defence exhibition, being held from 17-21 February in Abu Dhabi.

The new capability leverages the latest in analogue signal processing technology and is the culmination of what Allen-Vanguard says is significant strategic investment and massive engineering development that the company has placed in its future programme of systems: the ‘NXT’ family. It delivers a highly integrated, mixed-signal front-end technology, combined with enhanced RF processing power to deliver increased flexibility and an improved detect-and-defeat capability for the end user.

The new technology enables direct RF sampling, without the use of tuners, across the entire RF spectrum used by UAVs and RCIEDs.

“Allen-Vanguard has engaged best-in-class experts to collaborate on this exciting new project, which enables this new more powerful software-defined radio (SDR) platform to form the core of their new products and help dominate the EW [electronic warfare] space,” the company stated in a press release.

The new platform comprises an RF system on module (SOM) and a customisable product-specific application interface card, which means users can detect, protect and defeat a wider range of threats from each system.

Talking of the system’s launch at IDEX 2025, Allen-Vanguard President Bobby Strawbridge was quoted as saying, “The Middle East has been a core market for Allen-Vanguard for a long time, and we have used our experience gained from supporting our clients in the region to help design and develop this new technology. Not only is it exciting from an engineering perspective and enables the EW capabilities that our customers demand, but it also should be of interest to any OEM in the EW sector. This card delivers best-of-breed metrics in a small, customisable footprint at a fraction of the price of standardised formats. I am very grateful to our partners and our in-house design team, who together have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the CEMA space.”