Currently, the Naval Research Laboratory is developing new algorithms that will perform automatic platform recognition with SEI as a primary input. The goal is to cut operator involvement in half while providing more accurate matches between active signals and library listings. While the SEI system is designed primarily for identifying radar emitters, it could be adapted to fingerprint radio communications, which tend to be digital. This would permit tracking enemy maneuver units. Multiple SEI systems could triangulate a specific emitter, for example.
Current versions come in two configurations.
A small ship version features a one-foot radome unit feeding into a separate computer system with a display for the operator. One program goal is to reduce SEI hardware size by a factor of 100. The Navy is testing several units aboard ships and aircraft as part of the naval technology insertion program. Grounds relates that some of these systems have proved useful in some instances. SEI may be integrated into current work that focuses on sensor systems related to HARM targeting.