Electronic warfare in offensive air operations

Because of the size and weight of the equipment and the need for human interface with that equipment, early airborne EW systems required large, multi-crew aircraft.

However, large aircraft were vulnerable to attack, particularly after the development of integrated air defence systems (IADS) that integrated surveillance, tracking, and guidance radars with the full range of air defence weapons – fighters, surface-to-air missiles, and anti- aircraft guns. The emergence of IADS in turn led to the development of aircraft types that could operate in hostile air environments, and support strikes against defended targets.

The F-105 Wild Weasel used by the USAF over North Vietnam was an early example of a type used to support strike missions through attacks against IADS, including North Vietnam’s SA-2 SAMs. The Wild Weasels were able to detect and analyse electromagnetic signals and launch anti-radiation missiles against missile guidance systems. IADS components pin-pointed by the Wild Weasels might also be attacked with high explosive bombs by accompanying F-105 Thunderchief strike fighters.

Given the reduction in the weight and size of EW systems, and their increased effectiveness, strike fighters are now capable of conducting many of the missions once restricted to large multi-crew aircraft.

These missions include passive operations, such as enemy order of battle (EOB) analysis and kill chain analysis, and active operations such as suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), force protection, and maritime support, as follows: • EOB analysis involves the development of detailed information on the location, frequencies and capabilities of possible enemy systems that could diminish the effectiveness of friendly systems. Since air defence systems include long range (early warning) and short range (missile guidance) systems, EOB analysis requires systems able to monitor as much of the electromagnetic spectrum as possible. Even then, physics decrees that the higher the frequency, the more accurate the location.

• Kill chain analysis describes analysing the electromagnetic spectrum in a hostile environment, and disseminating the information electronically to cooperating forces in near-real time so that fleeting targets such as mobile SAMs can be engaged. The aim is to shorten the decision cycle of friendly forces and lengthen the decision cycle of enemy forces. In air force terminology, the aim is to control the OODA loop (observe, orientate, decide, act) of both friendly (reduce cycle time) and enemy (increase cycle time) forces.

• SEAD involves the degradation or defeat of enemy IADS, thus enabling attacking air forces to penetrate hostile territory. It usually involves a combination of hard and soft kills.

• Force protection aims to prevent the enemy’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum to attack friendly ground forces – for example, by denying them the ability to communicate, or to initiate improvised explosive devices.

• Maritime support describes operations that protect the fleet from attack by anti-ship missiles and radar directed gunfire. It involves the degradation or defeat of enemy electronic location, targeting, and guidance systems.

The EA-18G Growler – the latest western strike fighter EW capability – is replacing the EA-6B Prowler in US service. Whereas the Prowler is manned by one pilot and three systems operators, the Growler is a two place aircraft developed from the F/A-18F, noting that the EW role is considered too complex at this stage for single pilot operation. Even with two seats, the USN reportedly prefers to operate the Growler in flights of two or three to provide maximum EW capability, accuracy, and self protection.

The capability and flexibility of the Growler was demonstrated recently when a squadron operating over Iraq in the force protection role switched to SEAD over Libya in under 48 hours.

The USN does not use the Growler as a strike fighter.

While the aircraft is capable of employing guided weapons, the USN has separated the two roles, apparently because Growler crews are stretched maintaining skills in their primary EW role.

Lacking a strike fighter EW system in its air order of battle, the ADF could suffer significant losses during any attempt to operate in contested airspace.

Australia presently has an opportunity to procure EW systems for a number of its F/A-18Fs, because 12 of the 24 aircraft recently delivered to the RAAF have already been modified to accept Growler EW systems. The Williams Foundation believes that this opportunity should be taken. n