The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has outlined a new strategy for conducting military operations in an increasingly congested electromagnetic spectrum. The department announced the strategy in an October 29 press release.
The DoD characterized the current electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) — which is essential for critical communications — as contested, congested and constrained. Crowding of the spectrum by civil and military systems, hostile activity and decreasing availability due to domestic and international regulations are hampering its ability to communicate in critical applications, according to the strategy.
The full electromagnetic spectrum. Source: Philip Ronan / CC BY-SA 3.0
The DoD laid out the following goals:
- Developing superior EMS capabilities, through enhanced technology, including electromagnetic battle management (EMBM) systems;
- Evolving to an agile, fully integrated, EMS infrastructure, through EMS integration into tactical planning, leveraged intelligence for EMS superiority and other architecture and infrastructure improvements;
- Pursuing total force readiness in the EMS, through enhanced EMS training, education and regulation;
- Enduring partnerships for EMS advantage, through increased leadership and access to allies; and
- Establishing effective EMS governance through cultural changes and unified EMS activities.
Militaries around the world use the EMS for communication activities, radar and sensor transmission and for jamming enemy capabilities. As wireless networking becomes increasingly powerful and complex, military operations are realizing the importance of investment and strategy in electronic warfare to gain an edge in the space.
