Military electronic warfare equipment (EW) and jamming systems have assumed a substantial role in modern warfare. EW involves the use of electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to detect, identify, intercept, and locate hostile signals. It also uses countermeasures to radiate interfering signals to jam and disrupt enemy threats. Jamming is a form of electronic countermeasures.
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Land-based EW technology provides situational awareness and combat pictures to tactical commanders, allowing them to make the right decisions on the battlespace to protect ground forces and mitigate enemy threats.
The increasing threat of drones used by adversaries and non-state actors poses a challenge for armies. It can be countered using advanced EW systems and anti-drone jammers to disrupt the uncrewed platforms.
Finding suppliers of electronic warfare equipment and jamming systems
Army Technology has listed some of the leading suppliers of EW and jamming systems, based on its experience in the sector.
The list includes suppliers of land-based EW systems including anti-drone jammers, and military global positioning system (GPS) jammers for military and intelligence missions.
The information available in the download is useful for ground-based vehicle and aircraft owners and operators, procurement officers, fleet managers, engineers, and any others involved in the acquisition and maintenance of EW products.
The download contains detailed information on the manufacturers and suppliers and their product and service offerings, along with contact details.
Electronic warfare equipment and jamming products and services
EW products and services include:
- Electronic countermeasures systems
- Missile warning systems
- Laser warning systems
- Communications jammer solutions,
- Radar warning receivers
- Signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and communications intelligence (COMINT)
- Counter-improvised explosive devices jamming systems
- Portable communications electronic support measures (C-ESM) systems, and mobile C-ESM systems
- Mobile radio reconnaissance
- Tactical satellite intelligence systems
- Jammers for wireless and cellular communications
- Anti-drone jammers
Types of Electronic Warfare
Electronic warfare solutions can be integrated into a range of platforms across land, air, and sea domains.
The three main categories of EW are electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic support.
Electronic Attack
Electronic attack solutions enable armed forces to disrupt, deny, degrade, destroy, or deceive enemy communications and personnel using offensive options such as electromagnetic energy, anti-radiation weapons, and directed energy against radar-equipped defence systems.
Furthermore, electronic attack technologies include countermeasures such as radio frequency (RF) weapons, signal jamming, spoofing, and lasers to neutralise enemy threats. Electronic attack solutions are also used to conduct threat analysis and response.
EW solutions conceal the location of troops and provide protection to military personnel, platforms, and infrastructure against RF-equipped weapons.
Electronic Protection
Electronic protection (EP) protects friendly forces, including personnel and assets, against the effects of electronic attacks by enemy forces.
Electronic Support
Electronic support is used to rapidly detect, intercept, identify, and track electromagnetic energy sources. It assists in the acquisition of targeting and signals intelligence data.
Electronic support missions include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR).
FAQs
What Are Electronic Warfare and Jamming Systems?
Electronic warfare (EW) and jamming systems are used to detect, intercept, and disrupt enemy communications and radar signals, protecting military personnel and assets. These systems target adversary technologies using electromagnetic energy and include electronic attack measures such as jammers and countermeasures like radiofrequency weapons. Modern EW systems also counter threats from drones and wireless communication, ensuring that tactical forces maintain a communications advantage in the battlefield.
How Do Jamming Systems Protect Military Forces?
Jamming systems provide a vital layer of protection by disrupting enemy communications, radar, and guidance systems. They prevent adversaries from coordinating attacks, launching guided missiles, or using unmanned drones for reconnaissance. By emitting interfering signals, these systems degrade the enemy’s electronic capabilities and secure the operational environment for friendly forces. Additionally, jamming technologies are used in counter-IED operations to block the detonation signals of explosive devices.
What Technologies Are Used in Modern Electronic Warfare?
Modern electronic warfare employs a range of technologies, including signals intelligence (SIGINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), radar jamming, and anti-drone systems. Advanced EW platforms integrate real-time intelligence gathering and signal interception with offensive capabilities like radar jamming and GPS spoofing. These technologies ensure that military units maintain control of the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupting enemy efforts while safeguarding friendly communications and operational security.
How Do Anti-Drone Jamming Systems Work?
Anti-drone jamming systems use directed energy to interfere with the control and navigation signals of hostile drones. By jamming the radio frequencies used to control drones, these systems neutralise the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for reconnaissance, targeting, or even delivery of explosives. Anti-drone systems are increasingly critical as adversaries and non-state actors use drones for asymmetric warfare.
What Are the Key Considerations for Choosing an EW System?
When selecting an electronic warfare system, key considerations include range, mobility, ease of integration with existing platforms, and adaptability to evolving threats. Systems must be capable of detecting and responding to a wide array of frequencies and signal types, particularly as adversaries adopt new technologies. The ability to operate effectively in diverse environments—land, sea, and air—is essential, as is ensuring the system’s durability and effectiveness in countering both conventional and emerging threats like drones.