Beyond Defence: How to Build a Complete Electromagnetic Warfare Ecosystem
On today’s battlefield, Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) is proving to be an increasingly dominating force. The Russia-Ukraine war has driven rapid innovation in EW, as both sides accelerate the development of new technologies. Other nations are also advancing as they prepare for potential future conflict; China, for example, is investing heavily in its EW capabilities.
The ability to passively find, fix and track an adversary through their electromagnetic emissions — without their knowledge — can directly shape a Commander’s tactical decisions. Adversary transmissions can be exploited for information or intent, can be captured, modified and retransmitted to cause confusion and disruption, or denied entirely to isolate assets or locations during real-time missions.
A coherent EW ecosystem that integrates Electromagnetic Surveillance (ES), Electromagnetic Spectrum visualisation and control coupled with a series of coordinated effects by virtue of Electronic Attack (EA) tools is critical to delivering Electromagnetic Environment (EME) dominance. Here, we explore how to combine ES and EA for a strengthened battlefield position.
Coordination of EW Assets to Deliver Strategic Advantage
ES and EA solutions, when coordinated, provide distinct benefits. ES is virtually impossible to detect and informs our strategic view of an adversary’s electronic and operational construct. This supports the generation of a coherent series of EA effects to disrupt targeted communications and ultimately enemy command and control, delivering strategic advantage.
The key to success is coordination of sense and effect, to create tactical decision advantage at the optimal time. This requires the right sensor systems, the right capture and analysis tools and a consolidated visualisation of the EME.
Modern Threats Demand Centralised Control and Distributed Sensors and Effectors
To rise to the increased speed and scale of modern warfare, command and control of the EME requires a centralised and easily navigable visualisation of the tactical environment. Being sensor and effector agnostic, this tool can harness inputs from multiple Roke and third-party sensors and overlay those to inform tactical and strategic decisions in support of mission effect.
The greater the number and distribution of sense and effect nodes, the more accurate and detailed the EME visualisation becomes. Resilient networks that capture data from multiple different EW sensor types can provide valuable insights into emitters, weapon systems, units, and, ultimately, an adversary’s size and intent.
A New Approach: The Key Components of End-to-End EW
Roke has generations of EW domain knowledge within the business, which is complemented by a significant user community who inform our development activities with their diverse threat and operating environments. Fusing this, we’ve determined three essential components that every Force needs to consider in their EME planning.
- Modular and open architectures
Modular and open architectures make it possible to rapidly configure your solution to your specific mission need. Modular hardware payloads coupled with mission specific applications enable true multifunctional performance across the full spectrum of EW challenges. - Interoperability and information exchange
The greater the number of contributing sensor inputs, the more resilient, actionable and detailed the EME visualisation becomes. The ability to interoperate using common standards, non-proprietary tools and in-service bearers into a single, open EME tool that is easily navigable will reduce the number of people, interfaces and analysis, resulting in quicker decision-making. - Work with innovative partners
The more users a system has, the more it evolves to address operational challenges. Buying a system designed for another user means you are getting what somebody else wanted, not necessarily what you want. Roke EW systems are evolving rapidly at the speed of operational change, meaning our users are an integral and proactive part of the system development.
Global tensions will demand our Armed Forces deploy into multiple regions, against varied adversaries. There is no single configuration that scales, operates or addresses that global challenge. That’s why agile, modular sensors and effectors, paired with an open, non-proprietary command-and-control toolset for the EME, are vital. Together, they allow for rapid and cost-effective integration of mission specific EW solutions.
For more than 60 years, Roke has been bringing the physical and digital together to revolutionise industries. This mission has guided us as we pioneered electromagnetic warfare, surveillance and attack solutions. We’re proud to be continually advancing our EW solutions to adapt to today’s data-driven, information-led warfare. Watch this space.
Are you attending the AOC International Symposium & Convention this year? Come by the Roke stand B06 and let's have a chat about how we’re changing the face of EW.
Changing Worlds through collaboration in defence
Integrating autonomy and AI into defence operations will mark a pivotal shift in how militaries approach efficiency and effectiveness. By streamlining decision-making, enhancing battlefield capabilities, and planning for long-term sustainability, these technologies have the potential to reshape the defence landscape for good – from supply chain to operations. As the sector continues to evolve, the emphasis on interoperability, collaboration, and real-time data will be critical in maintaining a strategic edge against emerging hybrid threats that will emerge and increase in frequency as time goes by.
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