---
title: "AI-Enabled Cognitive Electronic Warfare Capability Plugs Into F-16’s Existing Radar Warning Receiver"
description: "We get the lowdown on what CADS is supposed to do and how it pairs with existing AN/ALQ-69 radar warning receivers."
date: "2025-03-10"
modified: "2025-03-10"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md"
url: "https://www.twz.com/air/ai-enabled-cognitive-electronic-warfare-capability-plugs-into-f-16s-existing-radar-warning-receiver"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Airborne Electronic Warfare"
  - "Artificial Intelligence"
  - "Electronic Warfare/Countermeasures"
  - "F-16"
  - "Fighters"
  - "News & Features"
tags:
  - "AFA Warfare Symposium 2025"
---

# AI-Enabled Cognitive Electronic Warfare Capability Plugs Into F-16’s Existing Radar Warning Receiver

![An F16-D Fighting Falcon pilot from the 40th Flight Test Squadron demonstrates proper flare technique during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 6, 2019. A flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by planes or helicopter to counter an infrared homing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins)](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ALR69.jpg>)
*Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins*

*TWZ*'s Jamie Hunter recently talked with Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products and Solutions for Raytheon, to get the lowdown on the AI-infused Cognitive Algorithm Deployment System (CADS) that is made to work with the company's AN/ALR-69 digital radar warning receiver (RWR). The biggest [user of this RWR currently is the F-16](<https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/usaf-buy-779-alr-69av-radar-warning-receivers-raytheon/>) Viper fighter, but pairing it with CADS could work with many aircraft if AN/ALR-69 is integrated on them. Currently, the RWR is also installed on [KC-46 tankers](<https://www.twz.com/44232/kc-46-tanker-shows-it-can-rapidly-unload-tons-of-fuel-to-thirsty-fighters-at-austere-airstrips.md>) and [C-130 cargo planes](<https://www.twz.com/sponsored-content/c-130-factory-how-iconic-hercules-airlifters-are-born.md>) and will be on the Navy's upcoming [MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones](<https://www.twz.com/sea/carrier-air-wings-key-priorities-to-win-in-future-pacific-fight-laid-out-by-navy.md>). CADS will also be able to plug into other types of systems to provide other AI-focused tasks.

In CADS, we are seeing the [emergence of cognitive electronic warfare](<https://www.twz.com/34606/cognitive-electronic-warfare-could-revolutionize-how-america-wages-war-with-radio-waves.md>) — the ability for an electronic countermeasure and radar warning system to [autonomously adapt](<https://www.twz.com/39797/air-force-wants-to-give-its-f-15s-game-changing-cognitive-electronic-warfare-capabilities.md>) to radio frequency threats, including those that are not even loaded into its threat library. Clearly, the convenience of being able to install CADS on F-16s and other aircraft already equipped with AN/ALR-69 makes it a very attractive option that could really impact survivability of these platforms in future fights.

The video below, shot at the Air Force Association's 2025 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, last week, gives us a broader look at CADS and what it is supposed to do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpKb-i6Tc08

*Contact the author: Tyer@twz.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)