The electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is fundamental to diverse military operations and electronic warfare tactics. The following article dives into the critical role of the EMS and jamming technology in modern military conflicts, drawing extensive lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine and its implications for the US military's strategic approach to electronic warfare.
The Invisible Battlefield
The Electromagnetic Spectrum in Modern Warfare
In the intricate dance of modern conflict, a silent, invisible battle is constantly being waged across the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). Far from the dramatic explosions and troop movements, this unseen domain dictates the flow of information, the accuracy of weaponry, and ultimately, the success or failure of military operations.
The war in Ukraine has emerged as a stark, real-time laboratory, vividly illustrating the paramount importance of mastering the EMS. It has underscored that without control over this vital domain, a technologically advanced military risks regressing to the capabilities of a "19th-century army".
This article will explore how the electromagnetic spectrum and its associated electronic warfare (EW) tactics, particularly jamming technology, have become indispensable for military superiority, offering crucial insights into the evolving landscape of global defence strategy.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS)
The Lifeblood of Modern Operations
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses the entire range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, which includes familiar forms like visible light, radio waves, and microwaves, as well as infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. These are all forms of light, with many being invisible to the human eye. This vast spectrum is not merely a scientific curiosity but the very foundation upon which modern military operations are built.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) extensively utilises the EMS across all its operational domains—air, land, maritime, space, and cyberspace. It is essential for a wide array of critical functions including reliable military communications, precise navigation systems, sophisticated radar for detection and targeting, non-intrusive aircraft inspection, and the burgeoning field of directed energy weapons. Without access to or control over specific parts of the EMS, these fundamental capabilities would be severely hampered, rendering modern forces effectively blind, deaf, and disarmed.
Recognising the indispensable nature of this domain, the DoD enacted the 2020 Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy’s Implementation Plan (EMSSS I-Plan) in July 2021.
This comprehensive strategy aims to achieve "freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum, at the time, place, and parameters of our choosing". Admiral Charles Richard, then commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, emphasised the strategic imperative, stating that the joint force "has to achieve EMS superiority" in today's battlefield.
He further highlighted the need to reintroduce the concept of operational risk into departmental processes, contrasting it with a historical focus on minimising programmatic and technical risks in more permissive environments. The EMSSS I-Plan is designed to establish an EMS Enterprise across the DoD, prioritising the integration of EMS operations, implementing governance reforms, developing a skilled workforce, and ensuring accountability to achieve this overarching goal.
The Art of Electronic Warfare (EW)
Manipulating the Invisible
Electronic Warfare (EW) is a broad and sophisticated field dedicated to manipulating or exploiting the EMS for military purposes. It encompasses a diverse range of activities, including electronic surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, electronic countermeasures, electronic support measures, and electronic attacks. At its core, EW is about gaining an advantage by understanding, controlling, and denying the use of the EMS.
Foundational Intelligence: SIGINT, COMINT, and ELINT
Central to any effective EW strategy is intelligence gathering, which relies heavily on Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT). These intelligence streams form the bedrock for understanding an adversary's capabilities and intentions within the EMS:
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
This foundational component involves the comprehensive collection and analysis of various electronic signals. These can include radio emissions, radar signals, and other forms of electronic radiation.
SIGINT is crucial for intercepting and decoding communication signals between military units or governments, thereby providing invaluable information about an adversary's overall intentions, operational capabilities, and ongoing activities.
Communications Intelligence (COMINT)
A more specific subset of SIGINT, COMINT focuses exclusively on the interception and analysis of communication signals. This includes monitoring radio transmissions, telephone conversations, email communications, and other electronic forms of exchange.
The primary goal of COMINT is to help understand an adversary’s communication network architecture, their command structure, and the identities of key personnel involved.
Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)
Distinct from communication-focused intelligence, ELINT deals with the interception and analysis of non-communication electronic emissions. This primarily involves signals from radar systems and various electronic countermeasures. ELINT is critical for identifying and characterising an adversary’s radar systems, understanding their electronic warfare systems, and gaining insights into other electronic equipment they utilise.
Collectively, SIGINT, COMINT, and ELINT play crucial roles in electronic surveillance, reconnaissance, and broader intelligence gathering operations. The information gleaned from these sophisticated methods is indispensable for military planning, accurate threat assessment, and maintaining comprehensive situational awareness on the modern battlefield.
Electronic Jamming
Disrupting the Adversary's Senses
Electronic jamming, a critical electronic warfare tactic, involves the offensive use of radio signals to intentionally interfere with and disrupt an enemy's radar or radio systems. Its primary objective is to degrade or entirely prevent these systems from performing their intended tasks, effectively blinding or silencing the adversary. The principle is akin to a car radio losing its signal and being drowned out by static when driving under power lines, caused by electromagnetic radiation interference.
Jamming has become increasingly sophisticated as electronic warfare has developed, encompassing a variety of tactics. There are two main modes of jamming based on how the interfering power is applied:
Spot Jamming
This mode involves concentrating the jamming power towards a single, specific channel or frequency. It is most effective and primarily used when the aggressor possesses precise knowledge of the exact frequencies their adversary is utilising. By focusing intense interference on a narrow band, spot jamming can severely degrade or completely prevent specific radar or radio tasks on that targeted frequency.
Barrage Jamming:
In contrast to the concentrated approach of spot jamming, barrage jamming spreads its power over several frequencies or channels simultaneously. This technique is particularly useful when the aggressor does not precisely know the adversary's exact radio or radar frequencies but has a reasonable certainty about the general waveband that might be in use. By covering a broader spectral area, barrage jamming can disrupt a wider range of communications or radar systems, even without pinpointing every specific frequency. It is typically performed against two or more frequencies concurrently.
Beyond the modes of power application, jamming can also be categorised by its detectability to the target:
Obvious Jamming:
This type of jamming is generally very simple to detect. It manifests through distinct and recognisable auditory signals that overwhelm the intended transmission. Common signals used for obvious jamming include random noise, stepped tones, spark, gulls, random pulse, wobbler, recorded sounds, and preamble jamming. When present, it provides clear, undeniable evidence of interference, making it difficult for radar or radio systems to function effectively and immediately alerting operators to the presence of an electronic attack.
Subtle Jamming:
This is a far more insidious and potentially dangerous type of jamming as it is not immediately obvious. In subtle jamming, no sound is heard from receivers, making it difficult to detect by ear alone. While everything appears normal to the radio operator, they simply cannot receive an incoming friendly signal. This technique is known as "squelch capture," where the jamming signal quiets the receiver, making it seem as if no signal is present, or the radio is malfunctioning. Operators might initially assume their radios are faulty, leading to confusion, operational delays, and potentially critical missed communications, rather than immediately recognising a deliberate electronic attack. The critical need for operator awareness and diverse diagnostic modes is paramount to counter this deceptive form of jamming.
The Ukraine War
A Real-time Laboratory for Jamming Technology
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has provided an unparalleled, real-time case study for the effectiveness and evolution of jamming technology in modern, peer-on-peer warfare. It has illuminated both the potential and the pitfalls of current electronic warfare capabilities.
Initial Russian Shortcomings
Despite Russia's significant focus on electronic warfare development in recent years, leading to systems like Krasukha-4 (targeting airborne and air defence radars), Zhitel (suppressing satellite signals), and Leyer-3 (a cellular and radio communications jammer), their initial performance in Ukraine was surprisingly disappointing.
In the early stages of the war, Ukrainian air defence systems successfully shot down Russian jets, thwarting Russia’s initial efforts to rapidly capture Kyiv. Russian forces also struggled to effectively disrupt Ukrainian communications, which allowed the Ukrainian military to organise their defences efficiently. While some military satellite networks were jammed, cellular and internet communications largely remained unaffected, much to the Russians' surprise.
Russian Adaptation and Increased Effectiveness
However, Russia quickly learned from these initial mistakes and demonstrated a significant capacity for adaptation. They shifted their strategy, deploying hundreds of smaller, more mobile EW units, including dedicated GPS jammers and systems designed to suppress radar. This pivot proved to be highly effective.
Russian systems such as Zhitel and Pole-21 have since proven particularly adept at jamming GPS and other satellite links. This capability has had profound implications on the battlefield:
Drone Neutralization:
These systems can effectively disable drones that are crucial for directing artillery fire or carrying out kamikaze attacks on Russian troops. Jamming has emerged as the most cost-effective way to neutralise unmanned systems, disrupting drone signals and forcing them to land, thus reducing the need for expensive anti-aircraft missiles or guns.
Compromising Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs):
Crucially, many sophisticated weapons provided to Ukraine by NATO countries are vulnerable to such jamming because they rely on GPS signals for navigation. For example, Zhitel can jam a GPS signal within 30km of the jammer. This range is sufficient to cause U.S.-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) bombs, which use only a GPS receiver for guidance, to lose their geolocation and go off target, rendering them ineffective.
This evolution in Russian EW tactics underscores the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of modern electronic warfare, where adaptability and mobility are key to battlefield success.
Implications and The "Cat-and-Mouse Game" of EW
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine clearly highlights several critical implications of electronic jamming for military communication and targeting, demonstrating a continuous "cat-and-mouse game" in the electromagnetic spectrum:
Disruption of Communication
Jamming is fundamentally designed to degrade or prevent radios from performing their tasks. This directly hinders the ability of military units to organise their defences, transmit critical intelligence, or coordinate offensive actions.
While Russian forces initially struggled, the deployment of dedicated jammers like the Leyer-3 specifically targeting cellular and radio communications demonstrates the intent to severely disrupt enemy command and control.
Neutralisation of Unmanned Systems
As observed in Ukraine, jamming is now considered the most cost-effective method to neutralise unmanned aerial systems (UAS), particularly drones. By disrupting their control signals, jammers can force drones to land or crash, significantly reducing their effectiveness for reconnaissance, targeting, or direct attack.
This capability offers a distinct advantage by diminishing the need for more expensive anti-aircraft missiles or guns.
Compromising Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs)
The vulnerability of advanced weapons, especially those relying on GPS signals for navigation, to jamming is a profound concern.
The ability of systems like Zhitel to jam GPS signals within a 30km radius poses a direct threat to NATO-provided PGMs, such as JDAM bombs, which can cause them to lose their targeting accuracy and miss their intended objectives.
Impact on Radar Systems
Jamming is a direct form of electronic attack against radar systems, interfering with their ability to detect and track targets. Russian systems like Krasukha-4 specifically target airborne and air defence radars.
The inability to effectively disrupt enemy radar can significantly hinder efforts to control airspace and deny the adversary early warning, as evidenced by the Ukrainian air defence systems' initial successes against Russian jets despite Russian jamming technology.
The "Cat-and-Mouse Game" and Countermeasures
Both sides in the conflict are constantly developing countermeasures against jamming, including reprogramming weapons to be more resilient to electronic interference. A crucial strategy that has emerged is the need to gather intelligence on whether a target area is affected by jamming signals before launching a precision-guided munition.
Colonel Ivan Pavlenko, chief of the Ukrainian General Staff's electronic and cyber warfare department, articulated this critical approach: "Before we strike with a precision-guided munition, we have to provide intelligence… If that area is affected by a jamming signal, we have to find the jammer and destroy it, and only then use this weapon".
This highlights that offensive EW is often coupled with defensive measures and intelligence-driven kinetic attacks, demonstrating the dynamic, adaptive nature of modern electronic warfare.
This ongoing "cat-and-mouse game" within the electromagnetic spectrum vividly illustrates that agility and rapidity in spectrum operations are key to success against peer adversaries.
US Military's Strategic Takeaways and Future Direction
The US military is closely observing the lessons unfolding in Ukraine, recognising that the conflict is fundamentally reshaping military strategy in real-time.
These observations are profoundly influencing the US approach to electronic warfare and its preparations for potential future conflicts with peer adversaries like China or Russia.
Urgency for Reinvestment and Agility
A key takeaway for the US military is the critical importance of agility and rapidity in spectrum operations. Colonel Josh Koslov, leader of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, noted the "awesome" agility displayed by both parties in Ukraine, stating that "being agile and being rapid is the key to success in the spectrum" against a peer adversary.
He issued a stark warning: "Not having control of spectrum leads to fatalities, leads to getting killed. And we’ve seen that time and time again in that conflict". Yaroslav Kalinin, chief executive of Infozahyst, echoed this, stating that "If you're losing in electronic warfare, your forces will turn into a 19th-century army".
This profound understanding has led to a significant shift in the US Army's approach. After largely neglecting its tactical EW capabilities over the past two decades, the Army is now "fundamentally reinvesting and rebuilding" this critical capacity.
The observable successes of EW in Ukraine, particularly its effectiveness in neutralising unmanned systems and the clear link between spectrum control and battlefield outcomes, have added significant urgency to these efforts. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush affirmed these ongoing programmes, directly citing the events in Ukraine as a driving force.
Specific US Initiatives and Strategic Imperatives
In response to these lessons, the US military is accelerating the deployment of its in-development jammers as soon as possible. Specific development programmes include:
TLS-BCT (Terrestrial Layer System - Brigade Combat Team):
Lockheed Martin has been tasked to integrate these technologies onto Stryker combat vehicles and plan for their inclusion in the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
TLS-EAB (Terrestrial Layer System - Echelons Above Brigade):
Lockheed Martin is also continuing prototype work on this advanced EW system. The overarching strategic focus is to reintroduce the operational risk component back into departmental processes, a crucial aspect of the EMSSS I-Plan.
This signifies a move away from processes designed for permissive environments, acknowledging that future conflicts will be contested across the EMS. Achieving "freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum" is not a luxury but a necessity for ensuring operational success and, critically, troop safety in modern warfare.
Conclusion
The Unseen War for Supremacy
The war in Ukraine serves as an undeniable testament to the decisive and ever-evolving role of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and Electronic Warfare in modern conflict.
The ability to effectively jam enemy communications and navigation systems, while simultaneously protecting one's own, directly translates into battlefield advantage, influences military communications, and can significantly reduce casualties. Russia's initial electronic warfare shortcomings, followed by their agile adaptation to smaller, more mobile, and highly effective GPS jamming systems, offer crucial insights into the imperative for continuous innovation and adaptation in this domain.
For the US military and its allies, the lessons from Ukraine are clear: agility, rapid adaptation, and sustained investment in tactical EW capabilities are not optional but essential.
The conflict has underscored that losing control of the spectrum leads to profound disadvantages, effectively reverting a high-tech force to an archaic state. As the world navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the unseen war for supremacy within the electromagnetic spectrum remains one of the most critical battlegrounds, dictating the shape and outcome of future conflicts.
The future of warfare is inextricably linked to who can best command and control the invisible waves that permeate our modern world.
Source: RF Globalnet
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