The U.S. military is falling behind in electronic warfare, according to an expert at the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida. Mike Nagata, a retired Army lieutenant general, emphasized the need for creative use of radio technologies, particularly space-based communications. The gap in electronic warfare capabilities was highlighted in the National Defense Strategy Commission report in 2022.
Russia’s advancements in electronic warfare were attributed to their disregard for international law and consistent investment in electromagnetic innovation. Recent events in Ukraine demonstrated the effectiveness of Russian jamming against American weapons, impacting GPS-guided artillery and other systems.
U.S. Special Operations Command is seeking solutions for electronic warfare challenges through programs like the Satellite Deployable Node and Tactical Local Area Network. Companies like GoTenna are offering innovative solutions for secure communications in the field, including the use of high-energy satellite and cellular networks.
SOCOM is exploring the use of satellites for communications and signals intelligence, with plans to develop more SOCOM-specific satellites. Mastering low-earth-orbit satellite communications is seen as crucial to countering Russian interference.
Nagata emphasized the importance of innovation and risk-taking in adopting new technologies to bridge the gap in electronic warfare capabilities. More willingness to experiment and learn from failures is essential for success in modern warfare.
