The United States recognized the loss of superiority over Russia in the electromagnetic struggle
The United States has lost its superiority in conducting operations in the electromagnetic spectrum, according to a report by the American Accounting Chamber. At the same time, as analysts write, Moscow and Beijing are the main challenges in this area for Washington. "Newspaper.Ru " dealt with the details of this document.
Russia and China have significantly improved their capabilities in conducting operations in the electromagnetic spectrum, experts from the US Chamber of Accounts concluded, who prepared a report on the military potential of Washington, Moscow and Beijing for the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Cybernetics, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems.
The electromagnetic spectrum is an invisible battlefield that is of great importance to the Pentagon's operations in the air, on land, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace. Restricting access to it can prevent the military from acting in accordance with the plan, which is why control over this area is so necessary to ensure national security, said Joseph Kirshbaum, director of defense Capabilities and management at the US Chamber of Accounts.
"We are not the only world power that understands the importance of excellence in the electromagnetic spectrum. Potential adversaries, including Russia and China, have made significant progress in improving their capabilities in the field of combat in the electromagnetic spectrum and in the use of this spectrum in general," Kirshbaum said.
The report says that Russian forces in the electromagnetic spectrum have demonstrated their effectiveness by " actually using these means against the United States and the armed forces of other countries."
The experts also included in the document the opinion of the Pentagon's intelligence agency, which in 2019 called Russian electromagnetic weapons "world-class" forces and recognized that the Russian Federation is capable of destroying other people's control, communications and intelligence facilities.
"Russian electromagnetic complexes are very mobile, which makes it difficult to counteract them," Kirshbaum added. Analysts note that the military operation in Syria has allowed Russia to accumulate practical experience in conducting combat operations in the electromagnetic spectrum and develop the potential to combat space assets.
Citing some research, it is reported that Moscow may develop a new generation of equipment that can interfere with electronic signals in space. The US Audit Office reports that China has also formed new military units to work in the electromagnetic spectrum.
According to the Pentagon, the PRC has several types of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with "electromagnetic warfare systems". In addition, China is conducting exercises to suppress communications and the operation of satellite navigation systems. American experts also suggest that Moscow and Beijing have the ability to influence the operation of communication and navigation systems on ships that the Pentagon uses to transfer equipment and personnel. It is noted that aging ships do not have sufficient protective capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, their GPS systems may be disoriented, the report says.
- noted in the US Chamber of Accounts. As it turned out, the Pentagon did not fully implement any of the previous strategies for solving the identified problems. Analysts believe the same could happen with the new strategy adopted in 2020. In this regard, they recommended, among other things, the reform of the management structures, the appointment of a leadership for the implementation of the strategy, the development of an implementation plan and monitoring mechanisms.
"In this case, translating the American terminology into the domestic one, we are talking about electronic warfare. That is, about gaining superiority in the management of troops and weapons by disorganizing radio-electronic means and controlling the enemy's troops, reducing the effectiveness of its combat means, weapons and intelligence, ensuring the stability of its radio-electronic means, "he explained to the newspaper.En " Deputy Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Konstantin Makiyenko.
The specialist explained that new technical means of radio suppression of communication, radar and navigation, protection against high-precision weapons, control and support systems are being supplied to the units and units of the Russian Armed Forces: Krasukha-2.0, Murmansk-BN, Borisoglebsk-2, Krasukha-C4, Svet-KU, Infauna, Lesochek, Zhitel, Judoist, Zaslon-EW, Moscow-1, Palantin"," Mercury-BM"," Rychag-AV"," Vitebsk"," Khibiny"," Himalayas "and many others.
Since 2016, Makiyenko recalled, the Russian Aerospace Forces have also received upgraded Il-22PP electronic warfare aircraft ("jamming and associated reconnaissance") with a new electronic warfare and reconnaissance system "Porubshchik".
Various EW systems are also equipped with ships of the Navy. For example, the Project 20380 corvettes are equipped with the TK-25-2 and PK-10 Bold electronic warfare systems, and the Project 22350 frigates are equipped with the TK-28 and Prosvet-M complexes. The MP-405 electronic warfare system is available for equipping small displacement ships.
"The armed forces of the United States for the past two decades have mainly fought with irregular and semi-partisan formations, and have not particularly attached importance to the organization of electronic warfare. Russia, on the other hand, invested in high technologies in this area and thus achieved a significant superiority in arming the EW troops with the most modern systems. And, as you know, whoever wins the battle for the ether will win the upper hand in other areas of the armed struggle, " Konstantin Makiyenko concluded.
Mikhail Khodarenok