Offensive Use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The militarization of the electromagnetic spectrum is well underway.  In February 2009 the Pentagon released a document entitled “Electronic Warfare in Operations.”  Its seven chapters outline the use of Electronic Warfare by the US Army.  While interest in the use of the electromagnetic spectrum was piqued by the difficulties US forces encountered in dealing with IEDs in Iraq, recent events such as the cyber attacks against Estonia and Georgia have given the issue a greater sense of urgency.  Electronic Warfare aids the warfighter by debilitating the enemy’s command and control system. 

An offensive electronic attack could take multiple forms which generally fall into three main categories: jamming, deception, and disabling.

 Jamming is the deliberate radiation, re-radiation, or reflection of electromagnetic energy to prevent or degrade the reception of information by a receiver.  Jamming can take two main forms: spot jamming or barrage jamming.   The difference between the two is evident in their names; spot jamming is focused on a small portion of the frequency spectrum while barrage jamming is spread out over more of the spectrum.

Deception is providing false information to deceive the enemy, usually in order to confuse interpretation or use of information being received by the electromagnetic system of the enemy.  For instance, an offensive electronic attack could make it appear to enemies that there are a greater number of your aircraft in the area than actually exist.  This is known as “simulative electronic deception” (SED), the simulation of non-existing units or capabilities, or the simulation of actual units or capabilities at false locations.

Disabling is using directed-energy weapons to disable an enemy’s equipment or capability.  An extreme example of this is the use of directed energy against an enemy’s basic critical infrastructure such as their power grid or transportation system.  This type of attack could also be targeted against an enemy’s air defense system. 

What used to only be possible in the imaginations of Hollywood screenwriters are now very real capabilities.  Developments in Electronic Warfare will certainly be closely followed by discussions of not only military doctrine, but also international rules of engagement, US domestic law, and Just War Theory. 

 http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5981387/%E2%80%9CElectronic-Warfare-in-Operations%E2%80%9D  

http://www.combatindex.com/store/MCWP/Sample/MAGTF_OPERATIONS/MCWP_3-40_5.pdf

Amy Qualliotine
Intern, CSIS Technology and Public Policy