Electronic Warfare

Summary

This video provides an in-depth explanation of electronic warfare, focusing on radar jamming and related techniques. It covers the fundamentals of electronic warfare, including electronic support, attack, and protection, as well as signals intelligence distinctions. The video details various jamming methods—spot, barrage, sweep, and deception—explaining how they interfere with radar and communication systems to disrupt enemy operations. Additionally, it explores jamming geometry, mechanical countermeasures like decoys, chaff, and flares, and real-world applications such as the F18E Super Hornet’s FOTD system and NATO exercise demonstrations. Viewers gain a comprehensive understanding of how electronic attack safeguards assets and impairs adversaries using the electromagnetic spectrum.

Takeaways

• 😀 Electronic warfare (EW) is focused on controlling and manipulating the electromagnetic spectrum to gain military advantage, while denying its use to the enemy.
• 😀 Electronic warfare consists of three main subdivisions: Electronic Warfare Support (ES), Electronic Attack (EA), and Electronic Protection (EP).
• 😀 Electronic Support (ES) involves detecting and analyzing enemy signals for situational awareness, including both communication and non-communication signals.
• 😀 Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) analyzes intercepted transmissions to gather information, whereas Electronic Support measures (ESM) focus on taking immediate action against enemy signals.
• 😀 Jamming is a form of Electronic Attack (EA) used to disrupt or degrade the enemy's use of radar and communication systems, making it harder for them to detect or track assets.
• 😀 Radar jamming can either mask a signal or deceive the enemy by creating false signals or targets, temporarily disabling enemy radar systems.
• 😀 The effectiveness of jamming is measured using the Jamming-to-Signal Ratio (J/S), comparing the power of the jamming signal to the desired signal.
• 😀 There are two main types of jamming: Spot Jamming (focused on one frequency) and Barrage Jamming (covering a wide range of frequencies).
• 😀 Deception jamming involves generating false target information to mislead radar systems, causing them to track incorrect targets or velocities.
• 😀 Mechanical jamming includes the use of decoys, flares, and chaff to interfere with radar and heat-seeking weapons, often using physical objects to confuse enemy systems.
• 😀 Modern jamming devices can modulate their signal strength to prevent detection, using electronic support to observe radar antenna patterns and adjust their interference accordingly.

Q & A

What is electronic warfare (EW) and its main purpose?

Electronic warfare is the art and science of preserving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for friendly forces while denying its use to the enemy. Its main purpose is to control and manipulate various electromagnetic frequencies to gain a military advantage.

What are the three major subdivisions of electronic warfare?

The three major subdivisions of EW are: 1) Electronic Warfare Support (ES/ESM) for detecting enemy signals, 2) Electronic Attack (EA/ECM) for jamming or deceiving enemy systems, and 3) Electronic Protection (EP/ECCM) for protecting friendly systems against enemy electronic attacks.

How does electronic support (ES) differ from signals intelligence (SIGINT)?

Electronic support collects enemy signals to take immediate action or gain situational awareness, while signals intelligence analyzes intercepted communications to extract strategic information. SIGINT includes COMINT (communication intelligence) and ELINT (electronic intelligence).

What is radar jamming and how does it work?

Radar jamming is a form of electronic attack in which radio frequency signals are intentionally emitted to interfere with radar operations. It works by saturating the radar receiver with noise or false information, disrupting its ability to detect or track targets.

What are the main types of jamming techniques?

The main jamming techniques include: 1) Spot jamming, which targets a single frequency, 2) Barrage jamming, which targets a range of frequencies, 3) Sweep jamming, which rapidly sweeps a narrow band across a wider spectrum, and 4) Deceptive jamming, which creates false target signals.

What is the difference between concealment (noise) jamming and deceptive jamming?

Concealment or noise jamming reduces the radar's signal-to-noise ratio to hide real targets, while deceptive jamming provides false target signals to mislead the radar about the location, velocity, or identity of a target.

What is mechanical jamming and what examples exist?

Mechanical jamming uses physical or optical decoys to deceive enemy sensors. Examples include inflatable decoys simulating ships, infrared flares to counter heat-seeking missiles, and radar chaff to create false echoes.

How is jamming-to-signal ratio (J/S) calculated and why is it important?

The J/S ratio is calculated by comparing the power received from the jamming signal to the power received from the radar's echo. It indicates the effectiveness of the jamming; higher ratios make radar detection less likely.

What is the difference between self-protection, escort, and standoff jamming?

Self-protection jamming occurs on the target platform itself, escort jamming is provided by another nearby platform, and standoff jamming uses a distant platform or ground-based system to protect targets from enemy radar while staying outside weapon range.

Can communication signals be jammed in the same way as radar signals?

Yes, communication jamming (COMJAM) involves interfering with radio signals such as HF, VHF, and UHF, as well as point-to-point microwave or digital data links. The approach focuses on disrupting the receiver rather than the transmitter.

What are some real-world examples of electronic attack systems mentioned in the script?

Examples include the FOTD (AL55 Fiber Optic Towed Decoy) for F/A-18E Super Hornet, which provides radar threat protection, and the Sky Shield escort jammer from the Raphael company, using AESA technology for directional high-power jamming. NATO exercises also demonstrated jamming using the Jamard device.