The future of electronic warfare, communications and sensing will depend on more than new technology.
It will depend on the engineers who design, test and evolve it.
As radio frequency (RF) systems become not only increasingly software-defined, but also adaptive and AI-enabled, the skills required to develop and assure them are changing. Tomorrow’s engineers will need practical experience working with real RF hardware in dynamic environments, alongside the theoretical foundations developed in the classroom.
This is one of the reasons behind the Cognitive RF Labs established at the University of Wollongong and QUT, an initiative led by Dr Len Sciacca, CEO of ASR Defence in collaboration with Khusro Saleem, Head of Engineering at ASR Defence.
While many traditional electronics laboratories focus on fixed circuits, predetermined measurements, or single-function equipment, the so-called
‘Vanguard Explorer Kit’ takes a different approach: It gives students the opportunity to build, adapt, and experiment with software-defined RF systems using real hardware. Students can create their own waveforms, change system behaviour in software, introduce a controlled interferer, simulate range and propagation losses, and observe the response of multiple radios operating together.
The emphasis is not simply on measuring a circuit, but on understanding how intelligent RF systems interact within a changing electromagnetic environment.
“We want to encourage more students to pursue RF engineering and, importantly, give them the opportunity to work with real hardware rather than relying solely on simulation. Practical experimentation is essential if we’re going to prepare engineers for the challenges of future hybrid digital/RF systems.” — Dr Len Sciacca
Mellori Solutions and ASR Defence have jointly created RF Labs at the University of Wollongong and QUT, providing mentorship and training to 8 students on practical RF experimentation.
“Developing future RF capability starts with developing future RF engineers. Giving students access to real-time computing and RF hardware addressing real signal processing problems helps bridge the gap between theory and practical capability.” — Khusro Saleem
The Cognitive RF Lab is one example of a broader collaboration between Mellori Solutions and ASR Defence focused on the future of RF capability.
Through the From Signals to Behaviours campaign, the two organisations are exploring how advances in sensing, decision-making and adaptive systems are reshaping the way capability is developed, tested and assured.
Initiatives such as the Cognitive RF Lab demonstrate the value of collaboration between industry and academia in preparing the next generation of RF engineers. Industry provides practical engineering challenges to students, operational experience and real-world applications. These partnerships help prepare engineers to tackle the increasingly complex RF challenges of tomorrow and demonstrate how industrial Research and Development can work with universities.
By investing in practical learning environments today, Mellori and ASR Defence are helping build the skills, knowledge and innovation that will underpin future electronic warfare and advanced sensing capability.