Specialists Point Out Inadequate Preparation and Capabilities of the U.S. for Approaching Conflicts in Space Utilizing Electromagnetic Weapons
Jimmy Jamz here, pals. The digital battlefield's no joke, mate. Space-based tech like GPS and satellite comms are lifelines for modern warfare, but they're also prime targets for electromagnetic warfare (EMW) tactics like jamming and spoofing. That's where issues arise, 'cause the Department of Defense's EMW efforts in space are bogged down by poor coordination and a lack of communication between stakeholders, according to experts.
David Zurn, a veteran specialist in EMW, dropped some knowledge bombs at the Association of Old Crows' symposium. He warned that the Pentagon's vulnerability to Electronic Warfare (EW) in space, more specifically EW Counter-Space, is a massive concern. "A day without space is really a day without 21st century warfighting," Zurn said. Space, he noted, is completely dependent on reliable data in its Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) links - those crucial radio transmissions that connect ground stations with satellites.
Satellites aren't autonomous, y'all. They need those TT&C links for operations, and the data they provide is critical for surveillance and communications. If those links are jammed, which they easily can be, we're in trouble. Zurn even pointed to the conflict in Ukraine (the poster child for this EMW stuff) where significant jamming against commercial and military space assets was used. So get ready for EW Counter-Space to become common in upcoming conflicts, he added.
But the problem is made even bleaker because the barriers to entering EMW in space are comparatively low. Just ask Zurn, who said, "Pandora's box is open, and I don't think it's going to close." So, establishing resilience to space EW should be a top priority for the Department of Defense, according to Zurn. But he fears resilience will remain elusive due to lack of investment and poor communication between stakeholders.
Jared Duckworth, a former Navy EW officer, also chimed in, highlighting the need for a bigger picture view. "When we start talking EMS operations in space," he said, "it is so diverse, so complex, so enormous, that each one of us is going to have a different perspective." He even compared it to the parable of the three blind men touching an elephant. Each of them perceives the elephant differently because they're interacting with different parts.
The problem in DOD is a confusing organizational structure for EW in space. U.S. Strategic Command is the executive agent responsible for Joint Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) and is the requirements owner and user representative for tools being developed. But other combatant commands actually execute JEMSO operations. In space specifically, U.S. Space Command executes JEMSO ops, while the Space Force and its acquisition elements like Space Systems Command and the Space Development Agency buy the tools.
All these organizations and concepts are still in their infancy, and it's a challenging recipe when you consider the fact that combatting EW attacks on satellite communication downlinks is the responsibility of the end user, while attacks against the uplinks generated by those end users are the responsibility of SPACECOM. Add to that the fact that all these organizations and concepts are still new, and communication breakdowns are common.
So, to sum up, coordinating and communicating between stakeholders for the proper implementation of cyber electronic warfare in space is a veritable nightmare due to a fragmented landscape, outdated systems, physical inaccessibility, resource and cost constraints, and the need for multi-domain synchronization. To address these challenges, experts and organizations are pushing for coordinated cybersecurity strategies, innovative technologies, and global collaboration. It's a massive undertaking but absolutely necessary for protecting critical space-based assets in the coming years.
- Jimmy Jamz warns that the Department of Defense's vulnerability to Electronic Warfare (EW) in space, particularly EW Counter-Space, is a significant concern, likening a day without space to a day without 21st century warfighting.
- David Zurn, a specialist in EMW, points out that satellites, crucial for modern warfare, are dependent on Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) links, which are prime targets for jamming.
- Jared Duckworth, a former Navy EW officer, emphasizes the complexity and diversity of Electronic Warfare (EW) operations in space, likening it to the parable of the three blind men touching an elephant.
- The organizations responsible for Joint Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) in space, such as U.S. Space Command, the Space Force, and various acquisition elements, have a confusing and fragmented structure, leading to communication breakdowns and hindering success.
- To tackle these challenges, experts and organizations are advocating for coordinated cybersecurity strategies, innovative technologies, and global collaboration, recognizing the necessity of protecting critical space-based assets in the future.
- The digital battlefield encompasses various areas including space, and the advancement of technology, especially in cybersecurity, is essential for maintaining the defense and warfare capabilities of militaries in the face of EMW threats.
