Electromagnetic Warfare –
Modern warfare is dominated by advanced capabilities that operate through the electromagnetic spectrum, including communications systems, remotely operated aircraft, and radar and electro-optical sensing systems. Superiority in the electromagnetic operating environment will define how the wars of tomorrow are fought and won. However, the electromagnetic spectrum has become more congested and contested as commercial use of the spectrum has increased and competitors like the People's Republic of China and Russia have expanded their electromagnetic warfare capabilities. To protect national security interests, the United States must remove impediments to the development and fielding of electromagnetic warfare capabilities.
The Department of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy seeks to achieve electromagnetic superiority by aligning the Department’s electromagnetic spectrum activities with the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy. However, research by the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy found that multiple organizations within the Department possess varying degrees of control over electromagnetic warfare operations and lack formal coordination mechanisms. Further, oversight is spread across various organizations, complicating policy development, implementation, procurement, and resource management. These issues prevent the Department from effectively executing the Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy.
To achieve electromagnetic spectrum superiority, the Department must implement an integrated approach that addresses organizational, strategic, and tactical challenges. This paper analyzes those challenges and recommends policies to drive innovation, accelerate operational effectiveness, and enhance national security. Organizational recommendations include the following: First, the Department should create a national defense talent strategy and accompanying network to reach and recruit the brightest talent to the electromagnetic warfare field. Second, the Department should reorganize and task United States Cyber Command with an electromagnetic warfare mission. Third, the Department should establish a major force program category for electromagnetic spectrum operations to raise its profile and send a strong demand signal to the defense industrial base. Fourth, the United States should collaborate with allies, partners, and industry to establish a council for electromagnetic spectrum operations to address topics like defense agreements and to reduce potential fratricide during operations.
Strategic recommendations include the following: First, the United States Government should align electromagnetic spectrum management efforts across the government, identifying agencies and offices with responsibility and authority to understand how these offices can best coordinate with one another. Second, the Office of the Secretary of Defense should strengthen the role of the electromagnetic warfare capability portfolio manager and establish more flexible acquisition pathways. Third, the Department should align its industrial strategy with those of our allies and partners. Fourth, the Department should work with Congress and other stakeholders to reform the export control licensing process to limit the negative effects that export control laws impose on efforts to work collaboratively with allies and partners.
Tactical recommendations include the following: First, the Department of Defense should design and field capabilities that can be updated remotely and rapidly, providing an advantage in a potential conflict with a capable adversary. Second, the Department should ensure interoperability among the services and with allies and partners. This would support effective command and control, situational awareness, and electromagnetic superiority.
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