Italian defence and aerospace company Leonardo introduced its next-generation passive electronic warfare and signals intelligence system, Guardian Vantage, at the AOC Europe 2026 conference held in Helsinki, Finland. Developed as a land-based platform, the system is designed to detect, classify, identify and locate enemy electromagnetic emissions across the battlefield.

The most notable feature of Guardian Vantage is its ability to operate without emitting any signal during missions. Thanks to its passive architecture, the system can monitor the electromagnetic environment without being detected by hostile forces. This provides a critical advantage in identifying radar systems, communication networks, UAV command links and electronic warfare assets.

Guardian Vantage works by analyzing the signatures left by electromagnetic emitters across the spectrum. The system compares collected data with threat libraries and creates a continuously updated electronic order of battle map. This allows users to understand not only the presence of hostile systems but also what type of systems are active, where they are located and what their activity patterns may indicate.

According to Leonardo, Guardian Vantage can convert real-time radio communications into text. The system can also use large language models to translate foreign-language communications into the operator’s native language. This capability could accelerate the intelligence cycle in multinational operational environments by enabling commanders to understand radio traffic more quickly.

The system operates through four main phases. The “Detect” module automatically identifies signals according to user-defined parameters. The “Recognise” phase analyzes signal characteristics and supports threat classification. The “Identify” phase determines the type of signal with high accuracy. Finally, the “Locate” module uses direction-finding and geolocation technologies to determine the precise coordinates of the target.

Guardian Vantage can operate as a single sensor or as part of a networked architecture using multiple sensors. Data collected from sensors deployed at different locations can be analyzed through triangulation to determine target positions more accurately. This structure provides commanders with more reliable situational awareness, especially across wide front lines or complex electromagnetic environments.

The system also includes radar electronic support measures capability. Leonardo states that this module operates with low size, weight and power requirements. This makes integration into different land platforms easier while reducing the physical and energy burden on vehicles. Guardian Vantage also supports electronic intelligence missions by enabling long-term analysis of unidentified communication and non-communication emissions.

The theme of AOC Europe 2026, focused on rearming Europe for electromagnetic spectrum superiority, gave the introduction of Guardian Vantage a broader strategic context. The war in Ukraine has shown the importance of jamming, deception, UAV frequency exploitation and counter-UAV radio-frequency detection on the modern battlefield. As a result, passive SIGINT and electronic warfare systems have become critical capabilities for contemporary armed forces.

Leonardo Campaign Manager Mike Brown stated that Guardian Vantage gives commanders the ability to see what the enemy is doing and where they are operating. According to Brown, the system aims to turn the electromagnetic spectrum into a decisive operational advantage. Its open architecture and compatibility with standards such as UK STICS, CMOSS, Open VPX, MORA, AOCO and GVA also make the system easier to integrate, update and connect with different command-and-control networks.

The unveiling of Guardian Vantage shows that silent, passive and network-enabled intelligence systems are becoming increasingly important on the modern battlefield. Systems capable of monitoring the electromagnetic spectrum, classifying hostile emissions, locating targets and supporting language-based analysis can provide land forces with a powerful intelligence advantage without revealing their own position. Leonardo’s new system stands out as an important example of Europe’s transformation in electronic warfare and SIGINT technologies.