Electronic warfare
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There is more information available on this subject at Electronic warfare on the English Wikipedia. |
Electronic warfare (also known as EW or EWAR) is warfare involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to attack an enemy, impede an enemy's use of the electromagnetic spectrum, or collect information.
Overview[edit]
Attack[edit]
Electronic attack (EA), or electronic countermeasures (ECM), is the offensive use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy weapons to attack enemy personnel, facilities, or equipment with the intent to diminish or eliminate enemy combat capability. The most common form of electronic attack is "jamming." In its broadest sense, any laser, plasma, particle beam, and hard light weapon could be considered a form of electronic attack given that they utilize directed energy to attack targets. However, these are commonly considered standard munitions and generally do not have any of the functionality typically associated with electronic warfare technologies.
Protection[edit]
Electronic protection (EP), or electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), are measures taken to protect against electronic attack or to minimize the effectiveness of the use of the electromagnetic spectrum by the enemy. These measures include many forms of stealth technology intended to hide friendly personnel, vehicles, or facilities from view. Additionally, the means of hardening electronic devices against the effects of electromagnetic pulses falls under electronic protection. Electronic protection most often takes the form of active and passive stealth technologies.
Support[edit]
Electronic warfare support (ES) involves technology and measures taken to detect, intercept, or locate sources of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of tactical benefit. Electronic support most often takes the form of communication interception.
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Human usage[edit]
Some classes of United Nations Space Command warships possess electronic countermeasure systems. The Paris-class heavy frigate's countermeasures are capable of jamming an Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette's communications for several minutes, as evidenced by the UNSC Savannah disrupting the Ardent Prayer's communications during Operation: UPPER CUT.[1] Anlace-class light frigates have the option of being equipped with electronic warfare modules, allowing them to mask a UNSC presence or inhibit communication between enemy ships.[2] When employed in pairs, two Anlace-class frigates are capable of projecting a jamming blanket around an entire planet, preventing communications within this zone.[2][3]
Given their widespread use in stealth infiltration/exfiltration, all classes of prowler notably feature electronic protection capabilities in the form of stealth technology, but many also include electronic attack and support technologies to directly assist in military actions and to gather intelligence.[4] Prowlers' hulls are often covered in a stealth ablative coating that make the vessel's profile virtually undetectable when targeted by radar, though requires extensive maintenance. This coating is often paired with active camouflage technologies such as texture buffers to make the vessels invisible to visual detection as well.[5][6] The largest member of the prowler family—the Point Blank-class prowler—makes use of powerful jamming technology capable of blocking all outbound communications within a targeted area.[7] The Sahara-class heavy prowler incorporates a large dish on its dorsal surface that contains both passive and active sensor systems for narrow-band signal manipulation. Additionally, the vessel features parallel passive phased-scanners for long-ranged threat detection.[8][9] Perhaps most interestingly, the Sahara-class includes two XEV9-Matos nonlinear pulse cannons capable of disabling enemy warships via EMP, one of the most direct methods of electronic attack.[4][10] The Winter-class prowler is particularly well-suited to electronic warfare with a full suite of cloaking technologies designed to reduce and distort their emissions and sensor profile. If detected, the Winter-class's turrets even incorporate electronic warfare countermeasure dispensers that can launch projectiles such as heat sinks and deception jammers to confuse sensors or break target locks.[6] The Chiroptera-class subprowler incorporates advanced counter-intrusion software to protect against electronic attacks.[11]
Several classes of UNSC dropship incorporate electronic warfare technologies. These include the U81 Condor, a variant of the D81 Condor dropship that features an advanced electronic warfare suite and passive sensor array.[12] The D77 Pelican includes several forms of electronic warfare technologies including wide-spectrum flares, microdrone decoys, rainbow laser blinders, RADAR/LIDAR sensors, directional jammers, and "hard chop" guillotines on data processing modules to minimize their susceptibility to cyber intrusion.[13] Bogof, a Pelican dropship attached to the UNSC Port Stanley, was upgraded by the Huragok Requires Adjustment with reactive camouflage and an electronic warfare technologies.[14] While it does not feature the stealth ablative coating or active camouflage technologies commonly featured on prowlers, the D102 Owl utilizes a nanoblack biopolymer coating for stealth functions.[15]
The UNSC also makes use of naval munitions which incorporate electronic warfare capabilities. UNSC missiles can be fitted with specialized warheads that conduct jamming and decoy functions to disrupt enemy countermeasures, therefore having the capability to function in both electronic attack and protection roles.[16] Professor Ellen Anders led a project to upgrade the UNSC Spirit of Fire's Magnetic Accelerator Cannons that resulted in a specialized MAC round capable of emitting an EMP on impact, giving the weapon electronic attack potential.[17]
