ELECTRONIC SUPPORT

Radar Glossary

Radar — Electronic Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Information on Electronic Support

Electronic support (ES), previously known as electronic support measures (ESM), is considered the eyes and ears of the EW effort, in that Electronic Support is responsible for the detection, processing, recording and identification of electromagnetic energy transmitted by hostile, friendly and neutral radar systems. The main aim of Electronic Support 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 Electronic Support 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 Electronic Support, 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 Electronic Support equipment including atmospheric and meteorological conditions; and

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

    •      Electronic Support is a passive activity as the Electronic Support 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 Electronic Support 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 Electronic Support effort.

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

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