Definitions[]
Electronic countermeasures (ECM) are
| “ | [t]hat division of electronic warfare involving actions taken to prevent or reduce an enemy's effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum through the use of electromagnetic energy.[1] | ” |
Overview[]
There are three subdivisions of electronic countermeasures: electronic jamming, electronic deception and electronic neutralization.[2]
It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy. The system may make many separate targets appear to the enemy, or make the real target appear to disappear or move about randomly. It is used effectively to protect aircraft from guided missiles.
Most air forces use ECM to protect their aircraft from attack. It has also been deployed by military ships and recently on some advanced tanks to fool laser/IR guided missiles. It is frequently coupled with stealth advances so that the ECM systems have an easier job. Offensive ECM often takes the form of jamming. Defensive ECM includes using blip enhancement and jamming of missile terminal homers.
References[]
- ↑ NATO Standardization Agency, NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions 2-E-2 (2008).
- ↑ Glossary of Communications-Electronics Terms, at 2-61.
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