ES

Radar Glossary

Radar — ES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Information on ES

ES , previously known as ES measures (ESM), is considered the eyes and ears of the EW effort, in that ES is responsible for the detection, processing, recording and identification of electromagnetic energy transmitted by hostile, friendly and neutral radar systems. The main aim of ES is to gain sufficient information about radar sensors to allow an understanding of the radar’s characteristics including its role, its method of operation, and its strengths and weaknesses. With this information, the ES system can identify the radar, assess its relative threat and provide information to the operator on how best to manage the radar’s presence.
     Many factors impact on the effectiveness of ES, but all factors can be grouped into one of the following categories:
    

  • transmitter characteristics including transmitted power, operating frequency, polarisation, signal bandwidth;

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  • transmitting antenna characteristics including beamwidth, sidelobe levels, and scan patterns;

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  • environmental characteristics between the radar and the ES equipment including atmospheric and meteorological conditions; and

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  • the capability of the ES equipment including the receiving antenna characteristics, and the receiver capabilities and sensitivity.

    •      ES is a passive activity as the ES equipment does not transmit any electromagnetic energy in the performance of its roles. It is important that the adversary remains unaware of the ES activity, because there are many tactics an adversary radar system can employ to make the ES role even more difficult than it is normally. Additionally, remaining passive lessens the opportunity for the adversary radar to plant false information into the transmissions in an attempt to corrupt or confuse the ES effort.

    Other topics in our resources on Radar related to ES include: 
     
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
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  • Electronic Attack (EA)
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  • Electronic Protection (EP)

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