Adapting to the Spectrum: Operating in the EMS Domain in the European Theater

Russia continues to threaten European security as it modernizes its military and demonstrates a willingness to challenge international sovereignty. It is fielding sophisticated electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting North Atlantic Treaty Organization command and control, denying Global Positioning System access and space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and jamming the communications required to conduct military operations. These developments pose one of the most consequential yet understudied challenges to NATO deterrence and defense against future Russian aggression. In part, this challenge stems from the alliance’s lagging development of electronic protection measures against Russian electronic warfare capabilities and its lack of preparedness to operate in a contested electromagnetic spectrum environment. This paper first analyzes the observed system using operational design methodology to assess the current operating environment. It then evaluates the desired system and end state to identify the barriers and problem sets NATO must overcome to achieve its objectives. Finally, it recommends an operational approach built around three lines of effort to establish electromagnetic spectrum superiority in a conflict between NATO and Russia.