EW Academy · Contents · Chapter 18 · Nederlandse versie
Chapter 18: Doctrine & EMSO
The doctrinal framework above the technology: Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO/JEMSO), the spectrum as an operational domain, fratricide and deconfliction, spectrum management, EMCON and EM Battle Management — with references to NATO and US doctrine.
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18.1From EW to EMSO
EW does not stand on its own. It is part of a larger whole: Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO). The idea behind it is that the electromagnetic spectrum is an operational domain — a space for manoeuvre that, like land, sea, air and…
Read §18.1 →18.2The core conflict: same equipment, opposite interests
This is the paradox of EMSO. The very systems you use — radar, radio, GPS — are the ones you want to disrupt on the enemy side. But your jammer also disrupts your own receivers. This is called fratricide (or, more technically, EMI —…
Read §18.2 →18.3Spectrum management
Spectrum management is the “air traffic control” of the spectrum: planning and assigning frequencies so that friendly systems do not get in each other's way. This is laid down in instructions such as the JCEOI (Joint…
Read §18.3 →18.4EMCON: controlling your own emissions
Every transmission tells the opponent that you are there, and often where. EMCON means deliberately choosing when to transmit and when to stay silent.
Read §18.4 →18.5EM Battle Management
Finally, EM Battle Management (EMBM) ties everything together: centrally planning, monitoring and, in real time, reallocating spectrum use during the battle. As the situation changes — a jammer has to come on, a data link gets priority, a…
Read §18.5 →18.6Doctrine & further reading
The concepts in this chapter come straight from official military doctrine. For those who want to go further:
Read §18.6 →