Electronic attack (EA), previously known as electronic counter measures
(ECM), is conducted on radar systems to reduce or prevent
the radar’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum effectively. This chapter
investigates the process of performing Electronic Attack, reviews the
major Electronic Attack tactics that can be employed and
then reviews the major Electronic Attack tools available to
the operator.
Enemy sensors are the main focus of Electronic Attack action. Active sensors are particularly vulnerable as these sensors
are designed to transmit and receive electromagnetic energy. Electronic Attack tactics and tools look to exploit active sensors by
analysing the transmission (ES) and then attacking the receiver.
Electronic Attack can be conducted against all electromagnetic systems including communications
systems. The coverage of Electronic Attack in this text
is limited to radar Electronic Attack. Radar systems are
operated to detect, acquire and track targets with the ultimate
view to engaging and destroying the target. To that end,
interfering and degrading the performance of radar systems is often
of critical value to the targeted platform’s survival and ability
to carry out its intended role.
Other topics in our resources on Radar related to Electronic Attack include: