Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors

Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors
Name	Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors
Formed	2018
Preceding1	Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (Provisional)
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Defense
Headquarters	Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, U.S.
Chief1 name	Brigadier General Edgar S. Felton
Chief1 position	Program Executive Officer
Parent agency	Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology

Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors is a key acquisition organization within the United States Army. Established to consolidate and modernize critical capabilities, it manages the development, procurement, and fielding of advanced systems for intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and sensor technologies. The office is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and operates under the oversight of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology.

Mission and Organization

The primary mission is to rapidly deliver dominant intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber, and sensor capabilities to the United States Armed Forces. This involves overseeing the entire lifecycle of complex systems, from research and development through testing and sustainment. The organization is structured around several project management offices, each focused on specific capability portfolios such as ground-based sensors, aerial intelligence platforms, and electronic warfare suites. It aligns its efforts with the modernization priorities of the United States Department of Defense and the United States Army Futures Command.

History and Background

The office was formally established in 2018, building upon the earlier provisional Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors created in 2017. This reorganization was a direct response to lessons learned from conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, which highlighted urgent gaps in the Army's signals intelligence and electronic attack capacities. The consolidation aimed to break down traditional acquisition stovepipes between intelligence and electronic warfare, fostering integration akin to efforts seen in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Special Operations Command.

Major Programs and Systems

Key programs managed include the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, a cornerstone system for processing intelligence data at the tactical edge. The office also oversees the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System for precision targeting and the multi-faceted Terrestrial Layer System designed for integrated electronic warfare and cyber operations. Other significant systems are the Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System family and the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, which provide critical aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to units like the 82nd Airborne Division.

Leadership and Structure

The office is led by a Program Executive Officer, typically a Brigadier General or a senior Senior Executive Service civilian. As of recent years, Brigadier General Edgar S. Felton has served in this role. The structure includes subordinate project managers and product managers who report directly to the PEO, with staff functions covering areas like systems engineering, logistics, and contract management. This leadership works in close concert with requirements officials at the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and resource sponsors at the Office of the Secretary of the Army.

Relationship with Other DoD Entities

The office maintains vital partnerships across the United States Department of Defense. It collaborates extensively with the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command for operational insights and with the Defense Intelligence Agency on broader intelligence community standards. Joint development efforts occur with the United States Navy on common electronic warfare technologies and with the United States Air Force regarding airborne sensor payloads. It also coordinates with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on pioneering research and with the National Security Agency on cybersecurity and cryptologic matters.

Future Developments and Challenges

Future initiatives are focused on convergence, weaving together intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber, and space effects into a unified warfighting capability. This includes advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning tools for automated signal processing and data analysis. Significant challenges involve keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements of peer competitors like the People's Liberation Army and the Russian Armed Forces, while also ensuring interoperability with key allies such as NATO partners. The office must also navigate the complexities of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to accelerate the delivery of next-generation systems to the warfighter.

Category:United States Department of Defense agencies Category:United States Army Category:Military electronics of the United States Category:Intelligence agencies of the United States