Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Unease grows in US over electromagnetic spectrum vulnerabilities

5th April 2021 - 12:35 GMT | by David Walsh in Washington DC

RSS

How can the US recover ground it has lost to China and Russia in electromagnetic spectrum operations? (Photo: DoD)

As US dominance ebbs away, is it time for a DoD electromagnetic spectrum supremo?

Ineffective leadership means that US military pre-eminence in electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) is shifting dangerously towards adversaries.

Such was the verdict of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in December 2020 — its third warning in eight years.

Commenting to Shephard in March 2021, GAO study lead Joe Kirschbaum described how adversaries took advantage of US torpor over the past two decades.

He said: ‘While the United States was focused on counterinsurgencies … in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia and China have been developing EMSO capabilities to use in “high-end” situations — testing them, and learning lessons for the future.’

Russian EMS

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Author

David Walsh

David Walsh is a cyber and space security writer based in Maryland, US.

Read full bio

More from Digital Battlespace

AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster

The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end

Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella

Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system

MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training

Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI

The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.