Bottom Line
The development of Wraith Shield represents a significant shift in military technology, integrating advanced artificial intelligence and radio frequency (RF) sensing capabilities directly into standard communications equipment, allowing soldiers to address drone threats using gear they already carry.
Article Summary
Military technology continues to evolve rapidly, particularly concerning the challenges posed by small unmanned aerial systems (drones). The ability to detect and neutralize these threats has become a critical operational requirement for modern forces.
L3Harris Technologies recently announced Wraith Shield, a software upgrade designed to enhance existing tactical radios. This capability aims to transform standard communications equipment into sophisticated, AI-enabled sensors capable of addressing the drone threat.
The core concept involves using radio frequency (RF) data collected by fielded radios—equipment already worn by soldiers—to achieve real-time situational awareness regarding potential unmanned aerial systems. Crucially, this is achieved without adding new hardware to an infantry soldier’s loadout.
This announcement details a technical integration that combines advanced communications waveforms with specialized AI processing for electromagnetic spectrum awareness, fundamentally changing how frontline units can manage the threat environment.
How Wraith Shield Functions Operationally
Wraith Shield is described as a software upgrade built upon L3Harris’s existing Wraith-capable tactical radio family. This capability was developed in partnership with DataShapes AI, a company specializing in edge-native AI for electromagnetic spectrum awareness.
The system works by taking the radio frequency data collected by fielded radios and processing it through AI to provide real-time situational awareness of potential drone threats. This information is then displayed on an end-user device carried by the soldier.
Beyond detection, the software links this sensing capability to a disruption function. According to L3Harris’s announcement, operators can neutralize attritable unmanned systems—such as FPV drones—by disrupting their command links directly from the radio unit with the press of a button.
Technical Foundation: The Wraith Waveform
The technical feasibility of this upgrade relies significantly on the underlying technology known as the Wraith waveform. L3Harris developed this waveform in the early 2020s, establishing it as a wideband, fast frequency-hopping tactical waveform.
This waveform was originally designed to maintain communications integrity even when users face sophisticated electronic warfare attacks, such as jamming and interception. Because the system already uses this robust infrastructure for transmitting and receiving communications, Wraith Shield can build upon it to add RF sensing and effects capability.
In essence, the same hardware that transmits and receives standard military communications is repurposed to also detect and characterize drone RF emissions within the local electromagnetic environment.
Deployment Scope and Hardware Integration
The initial deployment platform for Wraith Shield is specified as the RF-9820S Compact Team Radio, also known by its previous designation AN/PRC-171. An embeddable version, the RF-9820S-ER, is slated for deployment later in 2026.
However, L3Harris stated that Wraith Shield will be available as a future software upgrade across all Wraith-capable tactical radios. This includes platforms such as the AN/PRC-158C, AN/PRC-163, and AN/PRC-167.
The company estimates that more than 100,000 systems are currently fielded by various allied militaries, including those in U. S., NATO, and Five Eyes nations, meaning the upgrade pathway is measured in existing radio inventory rather than new hardware procurement.
Operational Significance of Software Upgrades
The core operational proposition highlighted by L3Harris is that this capability requires no dedicated counter-drone hardware, specialized operator training for a separate system, or additional weight to the soldier’s already heavy loadout. This makes the technology highly scalable and immediately deployable.
Chris Aebli, President of Mission Critical Communications at L3Harris, emphasized that the system allows operators to disrupt hostile drone signals directly from their radios. He described this as a prime example of innovation in mission-critical communications.
The Challenge of Modern Battlefield Threats
The development of systems like Wraith Shield is a direct response to the evolving nature of modern conflict, where small unmanned aerial systems (drones) have become defining elements of frontline combat. These drones present complex challenges because they are often inexpensive and difficult to detect using traditional means.
Paul Craft, President of DataShapes AI, described this capability as closing the gap between sensing a threat and taking action for survivability on the battlefield. This integration is key to maintaining operational effectiveness against rapidly evolving threats.
Key Points
- Wraith Shield is a software upgrade that transforms existing tactical radios into AI-enabled sensors, eliminating the need for new dedicated counter-drone hardware.
- The system uses the robust Wraith waveform to detect and characterize drone RF emissions in the local electromagnetic environment.
- Operators can use the radio unit itself to disrupt hostile drone command links at the press of a button.
- Deployment is scalable across existing, fielded radios (like AN/PRC-158C), rather than requiring massive new hardware procurement.
Why It Matters
This announcement underscores a major trend in defense technology: integrating advanced sensing and effects capabilities into common, already deployed platforms. By leveraging software upgrades on established radio waveforms, military forces can rapidly adapt their existing inventory to counter emerging threats like sophisticated drones without the logistical burden or time delay associated with procuring entirely new specialized hardware.
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Reader Note
This information comes from a research article published by The Defence Blog and details a commercial capability announcement.
FAQ
What is Wraith Shield?
Wraith Shield is a software upgrade developed by L3Harris Technologies that allows existing tactical radios to function as AI-enabled sensors capable of detecting and disrupting small drones.
Does this require new hardware?
No, the core concept relies on upgrading existing Wraith-capable tactical radio units with software; it does not mandate adding new physical counter-drone equipment.
How does the system detect drones?
It detects drones by collecting and analyzing radio frequency (RF) data from the local electromagnetic environment, using AI to characterize drone emissions.
What is the Wraith waveform?
The Wraith waveform is a wideband, fast frequency-hopping tactical waveform developed in the early 2020s for L3Harris radios, designed to maintain communications integrity against electronic warfare attacks.
Can this system handle all types of drones?
The announcement focuses on disrupting small unmanned aerial systems and FPV drones by targeting their command links.