Electronic warfare refers to the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for protection, sensing, and disruption of enemy signals. It includes three functions, electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic support. Electronic attack includes disruption of enemy systems by jamming or deceiving the enemy signals; electronic protection includes protection of assets from enemies using towed decoys or fiber-optic towed systems, which help divert missiles; and electronic support includes collection of intelligence using passive sensing to identify and detect enemy signals. Electronic warfare plays a key role in disabling enemy communication and radar and enabling strategic deception. It thus helps control the battlefield.
Understanding operational roles in modern conflict
Electronic warfare systems can be used in many ways to disable enemy communication. These systems can intercept radars and provide information on enemy plans or enemy positions during a war. These systems also help with deploying countermeasures by detecting incoming threats and can be used to counter air defense radars and guidance systems. Electronic warfare can also be used to confuse the enemy by displaying fake targets. Electronic warfare was used during the 1904 Russo-Japanese War, where Russia used it to jam naval communications of Japanese navy.
These systems can also be used to protect the electronic systems by using countermeasures. Electronic protection functionality of these systems can be utilized as anti-jamming own electronic warfare system which helps ensure that the enemy cannot use electromagnetic spectrum to gather information.
Electronic warfare systems can be used for identifying, locating, and intercepting enemy electromagnetic radiation sources. This helps in recognizing threats and take informed action accordingly. These systems are also used to analyze electronic signals to understand the intentions and plan of the battle. These also help understand the capabilities of the enemy and thus plan the course of action for the war. For instance, EA-18G aircraft, and other such can be used to jam enemy communication system from air. Anti-drone technologies can be used to disrupt enemy UAVs at the ground level. Maritime electronic warfare systems can be used to secure communication and protect navy communication. These electronic warfare technologies can also be used to jam missile systems and thus help protect military assets.
Next-gen developments in electronic warfare
There is an increase in focus on advancements in RF technologies to ensure secure and jam-resistant communications. Introduction of advanced jamming solutions and multi-mode capabilities in RF systems are known to enhance electronic countermeasures and electronic support measures. Also, deployment of drone swarms for electronic warfare emissions plays a key role in jamming and creating minimal human oversight during war. Modern electronic warfare systems make the use of quantum computing for ensuring intercept proof military operations. Moreover, government focus on usage of artificial intelligence and machine learning also plays a key role in fostering the growth of the sector in the upcoming years. For instance, China announced the development of an anti-stealth radar in November 2020. This radar was developed to detect advanced stealth fighter jets and guide missiles in defense toward them. This was aimed to help China carry out corrective measures against modern aircrafts
Usage of AI helps provide real-time information about any threat along with offering a greater spectrum dominance. Moreover, artificial intelligence helps transform electronic warfare systems into cognitive platforms, which help in the detection of threats and offers counter threats along with providing responses to enemy tactics. This also helps ease out the workload on the operator. Further, there is also an increase in focus by the governments to surge the usage of high-power lasers and microwaves by making these affordable. These high-power lasers help neutralize drones effectively. BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin are the major players that focus on integrating artificial intelligence solutions across different electronic warfare systems.
Further, Raytheon Technologies & Thales Group is focusing on developing advanced artificial intelligence driven signal processing that is projected to be integrated with electronic warfare systems for land, naval, and air platforms. Also, IndiaAI is focused on development of artificial intelligence tools for the defense sector in India. These include artificial intelligence enabled tracking systems, swarm drones, and artificial intelligence-based intercept management systems.
Another important development in the electronic warfare sector is seen in the creation of hybrid warfare tactics which help with disruption of enemy systems using both electromagnetic and cyber methods. This integration of electronic warfare with cyber warfare is projected to make way for lucrative developments in the military security systems.
Wrapping up
Electronic warfare refers to the modern military capability of dominating the electromagnetic spectrum to defend the military forces. Integration of AI and ML are projected to play a significant role in the development of these warfare systems. In addition, electronic warfare and cyber warfare are expected to be the future of electronic warfare systems, wherein jamming the systems combined with cyber-attack is to play a key role in the upcoming warfare development.
Short Description
Electronic warfare refers to a domain wherein the battles are fought using electromagnetic spectrum, radar, and others. This makes the use of quantum mechanics, AI, and ML to understand the enemy tactics and defend accordingly. Electronic warfare systems are majorly used to jam the enemy radars and protect own military communication.
