The Department of Defense recently announced the release of the DOD Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy. The strategy stresses the need for freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) – at the time, place, and parameters of DOD’s choosing.
“The rise of mobile systems and digital technology across the globe has placed enormous strain on the available spectrum for DOD’s command, control, and communication needs. This strategy will help set the conditions needed to ensure our warfighters have freedom of action within the electromagnetic spectrum to successfully conduct operations and training in congested, contested and constrained multi-domain environments across the globe,” said Hon. Dana Deasy, DOD chief information officer.
The modern electromagnetic operational environment (EMOE) is increasingly complex and the DOD wishes to advance EMS sharing to ensure continued spectrum access. The Strategy supports the full range of activities DOD must conduct in the EMS and recognizes that the same technology used in combative situations can also be used in peacetime environments.
It highlights the great advantages afforded to the competitor that gains and maintains EMS superiority and that “by developing innovative asymmetric EMS capabilities, DOD can protect expensive friendly capabilities from disruption or attrition, while simultaneously denying or degrading the effectiveness of adversaries’ high-priced systems.”
The strategy focuses on five interdependent goals: develop superior EMS capabilities; evolve to an agile, and fully integrated, EMS infrastructure; pursue total force readiness in the EMS; secure enduring partnerships for EMS advantage; and establish effective EMS governance.
“The Department’s evolution in the EMS is necessary for the U.S. military’s ability to effectively sense, command, control, communicate, test, train, protect, and project force,” said the Hon. Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “Modernizing to maintain competitive advantage over near-peer adversaries will enable DOD to assert EMS superiority and mitigate risks to U.S. national and economic security.”