Electronic warfare support measures

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RAF Menwith Hill, a large ECHELON site in the United Kingdom, and part of the UK-USA Security Agreement. Menwith-hill-radomes.jpg
RAF Menwith Hill, a large ECHELON site in the United Kingdom, and part of the UK-USA Security Agreement.
French ship Dupuy de Lome, specialised in SIGINT Dupuy-de-Lome-photo10.jpg
French ship Dupuy de Lôme , specialised in SIGINT

In military telecommunications, electronic support (ES) or electronic support measures (ESM) gather intelligence through passive "listening" to electromagnetic radiations of military interest. They are an aspect of electronic warfare involving actions taken under direct control of an operational commander to detect, intercept, identify, locate, record, and/or analyze sources of radiated electromagnetic energy for the purposes of immediate threat recognition (such as warning that fire control radar has locked on a combat vehicle, ship, or aircraft) or longer-term operational planning. [1] Thus, electronic support provides a source of information required for decisions involving electronic protection (EP), electronic attack (EA), avoidance, targeting, and other tactical employment of forces. Electronic support data can be used to produce signals intelligence (SIGINT), communications intelligence (COMINT) and electronics intelligence (ELINT). [2]

Electronic support measures can provide (1) initial detection or knowledge of foreign systems, (2) a library of technical and operational data on foreign systems, and (3) tactical combat information utilizing that library. [1] ESM collection platforms can remain electronically silent and detect and analyze RADAR transmissions beyond the RADAR detection range because of the greater power of the transmitted electromagnetic pulse with respect to a reflected echo of that pulse. [1] United States airborne ESM receivers are designated in the AN/ALR series. [1]

Desirable characteristics for electromagnetic surveillance and collection equipment include (1) wide-spectrum or bandwidth capability because foreign frequencies are initially unknown, (2) wide dynamic range because the signal strength is initially unknown, (3) narrow bandpass to discriminate the signal of interest from other electromagnetic radiation on nearby frequencies, and (4) good angle-of arrival measurement for bearings to locate the transmitter. [1] The frequency spectrum of interest ranges from 30 MHz to 50 GHz. [1] Multiple receivers are typically required for surveillance of the entire spectrum, [1] but tactical receivers may be functional within a specific signal strength threshold of a smaller frequency range.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/FPS-17</span>

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Radar MASINT is a subdiscipline of measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) and refers to intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of signals intelligence (SIGINT), imagery intelligence (IMINT), or human intelligence (HUMINT).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signals intelligence operational platforms by nation</span>

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Countersurveillance refers to measures that are usually undertaken by the public to prevent surveillance, including covert surveillance. Countersurveillance may include electronic methods such as technical surveillance counter-measures, which is the process of detecting surveillance devices. It can also include covert listening devices, visual surveillance devices, and countersurveillance software to thwart unwanted cybercrime, such as accessing computing and mobile devices for various nefarious reasons. More often than not, countersurveillance will employ a set of actions (countermeasures) that, when followed, reduce the risk of surveillance. Countersurveillance is different from sousveillance, as the latter does not necessarily aim to prevent or reduce surveillance.

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) is a sensor network with integrated fire control capability that is intended to significantly improve battle force air and missile defense capabilities by combining data from multiple battle force air search sensors on CEC-equipped units into a single, real-time, composite track picture. This will greatly enhance fleet air defense by making jamming more difficult and allocating defensive missiles on a battle group basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/ALQ-218</span> Military aircraft passive radar warning receiver (RWR) system

The AN/ALQ-218 is an American airborne electronic warfare radar warning receiver (RWR) system, found on Grumman/Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Polmar, Norman "The U. S. Navy Electronic Warfare (Part 1)" United States Naval Institute Proceedings October 1979 p.137
  2. PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from Federal Standard 1037C. General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22.