EWBC 08/09 1

EW Terms and
Definitions

EWBC 08/09 2
 Introduction

• In modern warfare both sides will attempt to

dominate the electromagnetic spectrum using
all means possible.

• EW should be viewed as a tool, for use with

other tools available to the battlefield
commander, to achieve mission objectives.
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 Introduction

 In mission planning, EW support will help to

enable a weapon platform to reach its target
and achieve the objective.
 EW is a dynamic form of warfare, both
proactive and reactive, which requires a firm
understanding of EW terminology,
definitions and acronyms.

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 Objectives

The aim of this lesson is to

introduce the student to the
Divisions of Electronic Warfare
and associated Terms, Definitions
and Acronyms.

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 Meaning of Electronic Warfare

• Specifically, it is the coordinated

application of EW resources, each of
which has a particular capability.
• Generally, it means the integration of
various EW assets into the overall battle
plan.

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 ELECTRONIC WARFARE

 Electronic Warfare is military action

involving the use of the
electromagnetic (EM) spectrum and
directed energy to control the EM
spectrum or to attack the enemy

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 EM SPECTRUM

 The EM spectrum is a convenient way of

showing the relationship between
wavelength and frequency.

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 EM SPECTRUM

Wavelength (l)
100km 1mm 15 /um 0.75 /um 0.4 /um

Visible Ultra X Cosmic

Radio Band Infra - Red Light Violet Ray
XIR FIR MIR NIR
3KHz 300GHz 400THz 750THz

Frequency in GHz
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 EW SYSTEMS

EW systems are those which best

exploit radar target recognition, electro-
optical and infra-red energy signatures
plus weapon system sensors, guidance
and control components.

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 INTEGRATION & CO-ORDINATION

(Where EW fits in !!)

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 INFORMATION WARFARE/C2W

EW is now considered as one element in

a larger effort known as Information
Warfare and Command and Control
Warfare (C2W).

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 Relationship between
2
IW/ C W & EW
POLITICAL MILITARY ECONOMIC

INTEGRATED
HARDKILL

DECEPTION

PSYOPS

OPSEC
EW

Communication & Information Systems (CIS)

All Source Intelligence

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 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
EW & COMBAT OPERATIONS
Combat
Operations /
C2W

Offensive EW &
Tactical SIGINT
Defensive EW

Passive Measures Active Measures Protective Measures

ESM ECM EPM
(Gaining Combat (Jamming, Deception, (Passive & Active)
Intel & Early Warning) Neutralisation,
Destruction)
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 ELECTRONIC WARFARE
DEFINITION

Electronic Warfare is military action to exploit

the electromagnetic spectrum which
encompasses the interception,
interception identification
and location of electromagnetic emissions, the
employment of electromagnetic energy to
reduce or prevent hostile use of the
electromagnetic spectrum and actions to
ensure its effective use by friendly forces.

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 The ‘Classical’ EW Family Tree

Electronic Warfare (EW)

Electronic Electronic Electronic

Support Counter Protective
Measures (ESM) Measures (ECM) Measures (EPM)

Passive Measures Active Measures Protective Measures

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 ELECTRONIC WARFARE

Passive Measures Active Measures

ESM ECM
(Gaining Combat (Jamming, Deception,
Intel & Early Warning) Neutralisation,
Destruction)

Surveillance ESM C2W AD SEAD

EWBC 08/09
Targeting 17
 ELECTRONIC WARFARE

Passive Measures Active Measures

ESM ECM
(Gaining Combat (Jamming, Deception,
Intel & Early Warning) Neutralisation,
Destruction)

Surveillance ESM C2W AD SEAD *

* SEAD may use EW resources and techniques,
but is not exclusively an EW function
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 ESM
ELECTRONIC SUPPORT
MEASURES

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ELECTRONIC SUPPORT MEASURES
(DEFINITION)
 Is that division of EW involving actions taken to
search for,
for intercept and identify EM
emissions and locate their sources for the
purposes of immediate threat recognition.

 It provides a source of information for

immediate decisions involving ECM, EPM and
other tactical actions.

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ELECTRONIC SUPPORT MEASURES

ESM provides vital electronic warning and

surveillance to the commander, through the
Intelligence and Air Defence networks by:

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ELECTRONIC SUPPORT MEASURES
 Furnishing essential Intel on the enemy EOB and capability.

 Identifying critical C2 nodes for exploitation and deception.

 Identifying enemy defence systems for targeting.

 Providing programming data for EW systems.

 Providing real-time threat recognition to facilitate ECM &

EPM planning.

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 EXAMPLE - LAND ESM SYSTEM

Sentry - Land ESM

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 ESM

SACRE ESM Pod

Nimrod
Yellow Veil ESM
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 ESM

SABRE ESM

APAR Radar and

ESM
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 ECM

ELECTRONIC COUNTER
MEASURES

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ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES
(DEFINITION)
 Is that division of EW involving actions taken
to prevent or reduce an enemy’s effective
use of the EM energy.
 There are 3 sub-divisions of ECM:

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 ECM SUB-DIVISIONS

 Electronic Jamming

 Electronic Deception.

 Electronic Neutralisation.

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 ELECTRONIC JAMMING

The deliberate radiation, re-radiation or

reflection of EM energy with the object of
impair the effectiveness of electronic
devices, equipment or systems being
used by the enemy.

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 ELECTRONIC JAMMING

Electronic jamming involves the use of

EM energy to impair the effectiveness of
electronic devices, equipment or systems.

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 ELECTRONIC JAMMING
Must be:
 Authorised by appropriate rules of ROE.
 Controlled by EW Coordinator on behalf of the
Commander.
 Co-ordinated with all other Operations or Offensive
actions.
 Co-ordinated with Intel staff to determine the effect
of jamming on collection agencies.
 Co-ordinated with communications staff to avoid
mutual interference.

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 ELECTRONIC DECEPTION

The deliberate radiation, re-radiation,

alteration, absorption or reflection of EM
energy in a manner intended to confuse,
distract or seduce an enemy or his
electronic systems.

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 ELECTRONIC DECEPTION
 May cause an enemy to react in a manner prejudicial to
his interests.

 It can be achieved by manipulation, distortion or

falsification of electronic transmissions.

 Requires detailed planning, co-ordination & execution.

 Normally effective for a longer period than that of

jamming.

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 ELECTRONIC NEUTRALISATION

The deliberate use of EM energy to either

temporarily or permanently damage enemy
devices which rely exclusively on the
electromagnetic spectrum.

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 ELECTRONIC NEUTRALISATION

Must be authorised, controlled

and co-ordinated in the same way
as jamming.

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 EXAMPLE - AIRBORNE ECM
JAMMERS

Apollo

Skyshadow

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 EXAMPLE –
SHIP LAUNCHED JAMMER

SIREN

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 ECM

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 EPM
ELECTRONIC PROTECTION
MEASURES

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 ELECTRONIC PROTECTIVE
MEASURES
(DEFINITION)
 Is that division of EW involving action taken to
ensure friendly effective use of the EM
spectrum despite the enemy’s use of EM
energy.
 There are 2 sub-divisions of EPM:

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 ELECTRONIC PROTECTIVE
MEASURES
Protective Measures
EPM

Passive Active

Tactical Procedural Technical Electronic Decoys

Deception EMCON Encryption
Siting WARM Processing
Mobility SOP’s Electronic -
Dir Aerials Codes techniques
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 ACTIVE EPM

Detectable measures, such as altering transmitter

parameters as necessary, to ensure friendly
effective use of the EMS

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 PASSIVE EPM

Undetectable measures, such as operating

procedures and technical features of equipment
which are meant to ensure friendly use of the EMS

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 ELECTRONIC PROTECTIVE
MEASURES
To minimise an enemy’s opportunity the
following measures are recommended:
 Briefings for command personnel on the latest EW threat.

 Training for key staff in the recognition of the enemy EW

activity & the application of suitable EPM

 During training avoid the use of WARM or detectable EPM.

 Rigorous / accurate EMCON is advised.

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 THE US USES SLIGHTLY
DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGY:
‘NON-NATO’ EW FAMILY TREE

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THE “NON NATO” EW FAMILY TREE

Electronic Warfare (EW)

Electronic Electronic Electronic

Warfare Support Attack Protection
(ES) (EA) (EP)

Same as Same as Same as

ESM ECM EPM or ECCM
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 ELECTRONIC WARFARE
SUPPORT (ES)
(DEFINITION)
 Electronic Warfare Support (ES) is that division of
Electronic Warfare involving actions tasked by, or
under direct control of, an operational commander to
search for, intercept, identify and locate sources of
intentional and unintentional radiated
electromagnetic energy for the purpose of
immediate threat recognition.

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 ELECTRONIC WARFARE
SUPPORT (ES)

 Thus, EWS provides information required for

immediate decisions involving EW operations,
threat avoidance, targeting and other tactical
actions.

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 “NON NATO” EW FAMILY TREE

Electronic Warfare Support (ES)

Direction Finding (DF) Threat Warning

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 “NON NATO” EW FAMILY TREE

Electronic Warfare (EW)

Electronic Electronic Electronic

Warfare Support Attack Protection
(ES) (EA) (EP)

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 ELECTRONIC ATTACK (EA)
(DEFINITION)
 Electronic Attack (EA) is that division of Electronic
Warfare involving the use of electromagnetic or
directed energy to attack personnel, facilities or
equipment with the intent of degrading,
neutralising or destroying enemy combat
capabilities.

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 “Non NATO” EW Family Tree

Electronic Attack (EA)

ARM Directed Energy Jamming Deception

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 “NON NATO” EW FAMILY TREE

Electronic Warfare (EW)

Electronic Electronic Electronic

Warfare Support Attack Protection
(ES) (EA) (EP)

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 ELECTRONIC PROTECTION (EP)
(DEFINITION)
 Is that division of EW involving actions taken to
protect personnel, facilities and equipment from any
effects of friendly or enemy employment of EW that
degrade, neutralise or destroy friendly combat
capability.

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 “Non NATO” EW Family Tree

Electronic Protection (EP)

EMCON Electromagnetic EW Frequency Other

Hardening De-confliction Procedures
&
Electronic
techniques/
modes

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 Next:
SIGINT

Any Questions So Far??

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 SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE (SIGINT)

 Electronic Warfare Support (ES) is

closely related to Signals Intelligence.

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 Conclusion

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 EW FAMILY TREE
Avoidance
EMCON
Homing Anti-
ESM ESM
EMSEC Active
Targeting EPM

Jamming EPM
Electronic
ECM Deception Passive
Design EPM
Anti-
Electronic ECM
Neutralisation Training

EWBC 08/09 59
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
IW / C2W & EW
POLITICAL MILITARY ECONOMIC

INTEGRATED
HARDKILL

DECEPTION

PSYOPS

OPSEC
EW

INT / CIS

EWBC 08/09 60
 CONCLUSION

 EW is not only about denying the enemy but

also about the constant gathering of
information on the enemy’s capabilities and
his plans to use those capabilities.

 In the final analysis it is the planning for

‘action’ to do ‘what’, ‘when’ and for ‘how long’
to achieve maximum advantage.

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 CONCLUSION

 EW assets are reusable and therefore offer a

more economical means of disrupting enemy
activity than expensive, one-time-only smart
weapons - but may be less effective.

 EW can however offer more option during

peace keeping ops or periods of tension.

EWBC 08/09 62
 Summary

• The aims of this lesson were describe the

Divisions of Electronic Warfare and some
associated Terms and Definitions.

• The associated handout provides a very

comprehensive listing of definitions and
Abbreviations use in EW.

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 PLPE

Any Questions
?

EWBC 08/09 64