Electronic warfare

RAF Menwith Hill, a large ECHELON site located in the UK, and part of the UK security agreement.

The electronic warfare (sometimes abbreviated, EW, from English electronic warfare) consists of a technological and electronic activity in order to determine, exploit, reduce or prevent the hostile use of all energy spectrums by the adversary and at the same time preserve the use of said spectrum for their own benefit.

The military use of electronic equipment reaches all levels and modalities of combat. The communications equipment allows real-time control of all echelons of the combat forces and provides the chief of the same with the necessary data to assess the situation. Radar networks (abbreviations for radio detection and ranging, detection and radio telemetry) facilitate early warning of an enemy air attack, and electronic fire control systems help air defense. These electronic networks can guide intercepting aircraft against the attacking force. These same planes have a sophisticated set of equipment for target detection, navigation and guidance of weapons to the target. However, as all of these systems are highly dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum for intelligence and operability, opposing forces may use other electromagnetic devices to reduce their optimal utilization and even take advantage of our system.

Since the invention of radar during World War II, electronic warfare has not stopped progressing by leaps and bounds to become today the decisive factor of victory. In the same way that without conquering air superiority it is unthinkable to obtain victory, without electronic superiority it is unthinkable to achieve it. The survivability of one's own forces in a hostile environment and the precision and effectiveness of weapons depend on the ability to control the electromagnetic spectrum. On the other hand, the first hostile action in a confrontation always involves the disturbance and attack on the adversary's detection and communications systems. WE is not an independent factor but must be considered a very important factor in the assessment of survival and vulnerability.

Given the complexity of military operations, EW is divided into three basic parts:

• Electronic War Support Measures (ESM): EW area that includes actions taken to seek, intercept, identify or locate irradiated electromagnetic energy sources in order to obtain an immediate recognition of the threat. Thus, ESM provides a source of information required for immediate action that includes electronic countermeasures, electronic countermeasures, evasion actions, location of the target and other tactical use of the forces.
• Electronic countermeasures (ECM): EW area that includes actions taken to prevent or reduce the enemy use of the electromagnetic spectrum. NDEs include:
  • Electronic disturbance: It is the deliberate radiation, re-radiation or reflection of electromagnetic energy, in order to reduce the use by the enemy of electronic devices, equipment or systems.
  • Electronic delivery: Deliberate radiation, re-radiation, alteration, absorption or reflection of electromagnetic energy with the intention of disorienting the enemy in the interpretation or use of the information received through its electronic systems. There are two categories of electronic deception:
    • Manipulative electronic delivery: The alteration or simulation of friendly electromagnetic radiation, in order to achieve disappointment.
    • Imitative electromagnetic glue: Introduction of radiation in the enemy channels, in order to imitate their own emissions.
• Electronic Protection Measures (EPM): EW area that includes measures to ensure the proper use of the electromagnetic spectrum despite the use of the Electronic War by the enemy.

• Emissions Evasion: Deliberate use of Frequency that the enemy cannot capture with his means ELINT or COMINT

Lastly, a concept that is becoming increasingly important: emission control (CONEM). It is the selective control of emitted electromagnetic or acoustic energy. in order to minimize its detection by enemy sensors, or to improve the performance of the installed sensors.

CONEM is often thought of as total electronic silence. It could well be so, but electronic silence is a type of CONEM. As defined, CONEM is selective and manifests itself to different degrees.

Electronic warfare support for intelligence

When operating in an integrated defense network, it is essential that the penetration force have information regarding the location and technical characteristics of the electronic systems against which it is confronted; this function corresponds to intelligence. Although the scope of the present text does not cover this field, it constitutes the support of the EW, and those who study it will have to be, at least, aware of the following definitions:

• Electronic War Intelligence: Outcome of the collection, evaluation, analysis, integration and interpretation of how much information is available concerning foreign nations or to areas of significant operations for the exercise of the EW.

• Communications Intelligence (COMINT): Technical and intelligence information obtained from listening to foreign communications by those who are not the intended recipient.

• Electronic Intelligence (ELINT): Activities aimed at the collection (observation and registration) and process for subsequent intelligence purposes, of information obtained from foreign electromagnetic radiation that are not from communications from others other than atomic detonations or radioactive sources.

• Signal Intelligence (SIGINT): A generic term that includes both ELINT and COMINT.

Summary

EW is a primary factor in the conduct of military operations. Although this text deals with the application of EW in the aeronautical field, it permeates the entire sphere of warfare. Within its limits, the application of EW devices integrated in air and maritime systems is included. terrestrial and special offensive and defensive. EW is a continuous evolution of equipment, tactics, and doctrine fully integrated into operational forces. Gathering information is based on gathering an enemy's capability, weapon systems condition, and order of battle. The information obtained provides the necessary foundation for the development of appropriate equipment, tactics, and doctrine, including EW capabilities. At the start of hostilities, information is updated through ESM actions, and ECM and EPM are appropriately applied in support of own forces. The mission of the EW consists of helping to create with electronic means, a military operating environment that guarantees the tactical initiative and the choice of appropriate weapons systems so that they always remain in the power of the leadership of their own and allied forces. In essence, the mission of the EW is to achieve superiority over the adversary in the use of electronic and electromagnetic means.