Electronic Warfare

Vying for Control of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Over the past decade, preeminent countries involved in major military conflicts mainly focused on asymmetrical warfare - surprise attacks by small groups armed with modern, high-tech weaponry. During that same period, however, near-peer adversaries began attaining impressive electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. As a result, a plethora of new, dynamic threats flooded the EW spectrum, pushing threat detection and analysis to keep pace. Large military forces now face ongoing development and evolution to stay ahead of their adversaries, leading to a need for a more flexible, scalable approach to threat detection, analysis, and response.

Even the smallest military can now build powerful weapons systems, given the availability and low cost of advanced electronics with high computing power. The proliferation of technology also created a battlefield where weapons technology undergoes rapid, continuous change. Digital and programmable radio frequency equipment, such as software-defined radios, creates a more complex battlefield. In addition, radars can quickly change waveforms, making it challenging to locate, identify, and confuse hostile emitters.