Department of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority StrategyThis Strategy embraces the enterprise approach required to ensure EMS superiority by integrating efforts to enhance near-term and long-term EMS capabilities, activities, and operations. The Strategy informs the Department’s domestic EMS access policies and reinforces the need to develop cooperative frameworks with other EMS stakeholders in order to advance shared national policy goals. The traditional functions of Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (EMSM) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW)—integrated as Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO)—are addressed within the document’s strategic goals. This 2020 Strategy builds upon the successes of and supersedes both the DoD’s 2013 EMS Strategy and 2017 EW Strategy.Freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum, at the time, place, and parameters of our choosing, is a required precursor to the successful conduct of operations in all domains. Forces in 2030 and beyond will be ready to fight and win through the deliberate, institutional pursuit of EMS superiority. This enterprise-wide condition of strategic advantage will result from unified efforts to create conditions for success in congested, contested, and constrained EMOEs.U.S. Department of DefenseDoD_5e8dcfdc-5d6a-11df-839d-400e7a64ea2aMark EsperSecretary of DefenseFreedom of Action in the Electromagnetic Spectrum_ce44f1aa-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea00To align DoD EMS activities with the objectives of the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS), the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS), and national economic and technology policy goals_ce44f380-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea00PrinciplesGUIDING PRINCIPLES ~ This Strategy builds upon existing joint and Service doctrine and operational concepts that incorporate the full range of military activities in the EMS. The guiding principles of this Strategy include:LethalityThe NDS strategic approach of lethality, partnering, reform, and expanding the competitive space to command strategic advantage in any great power competitionCommunityThe long-term success of the Department requires combining EMSM and EW into a single EMSO community as part of the EMS Enterprise Economic GrowthEconomic growth, which includes the need for commercial EMS access, is in the national security interest of the United StatesMilitary PowerThe United States is resolved to “… remain the preeminent military power in the world [and] ensure the balances of power remain in our favor.” – NDS Strategic AimCapability“[The United States] cannot expect success fighting tomorrow’s conflicts with yesterday’s weapons or equipment. To address the scope and pace of our competitors’ and adversaries’ ambitions and capabilities, we must invest in the modernization of key capabilities ….” – NDS Summary.InteroperabilityEfficiencyInformation SharingEMS CapabilitiesDevelop Superior EMS Capabilities_ce44f4ca-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001TechnologiesImprove Technologies to Enable Systems to Sense, Assess, Share, Maneuver, and Survive in Complex EMOEs_ce44f68c-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001.1Research is a springboard for innovation in future EMS capabilities. DoD must continue to invest in academic and research laboratories, and in industry, to drive advances in technologies that improve our ability to operate within complex EMOEs while denying our enemies the ability to do the same. This will include technologies specifically designed for EMS superiority via sharing and maneuver. As such, EMSdependent systems will need to become more resilient, agile, and efficient. DoD must also continue to lead the way on the development of dynamic spectrum sharing technologies and techniques. In addition, EMSdependent systems and networks must incorporate sensing, assessing, sharing, and maneuver technologies to enable coexistence with incumbent entities, globally. ^^ EMS-dependent systems must be designed to be functionally and physically survivable while accomplishing their intended functions. These electromagnetic protection (EP) features must be sufficiently adaptable to adjust operating parameters to optimize performance and counter threats while protecting against the disruptive or destructive effects of intended or unintended electromagnetic (EM) energy. They should be flexible and access spectrum through frequency agility, frequency diversity, and wide tuning ranges. They must minimize their EMS footprint and reduce vulnerability to detection. Finally, they must be resilient against the effects of RF-enabled cyberspace attack. ^^ The Department’s emphasis should be on revolutionary leap-ahead technology and capabilities. If DoD relies on evolutionary EMS capabilities, there is increased risk of vulnerabilities due to the explosive pace of dual-use technology, especially in the computer and tele-communications sectors. Collectively, these technologies, when adequately matured and integrated into future warfighting systems, will improve DoD’s capability to survive and operate in the presence of adversary EW systems, highly congested spectrum, and relevant environmental phenomena.AcquisitionUse a Comprehensive Approach to Acquire EMS Capabilities Suitable for Great Power Competition_ce44f7cc-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001.2The Department will develop an EMS enterprise that is fully integrated, operationally focused, and designed for great power competition. Future EMS capabilities must be able to perform, operate, and adapt in complex EMOEs. They must maintain interoperability with other systems and be capable of rapid software and hardware upgrades to remain relevant against the evolving near-peer threat. These aspects must be considered in system requirements definitions and implemented in design and development with emphasis on a modular open systems approach (MOSA). DoD must evaluate campaign-level and operational scenarios through modeling, simulation, and testing in representative environments to prescribe appropriate levels of performance and be willing to embrace leap-ahead technology rather than evolutionary acquisition paths. It will utilize the flexibility provided by the Adaptive Acquisition Framework to accelerate delivery of superior EMS capabilities to the warfighter, including rapid prototyping and rapid fielding pathways. ^^ The Department will leverage systems engineering and mission engineering disciplines to achieve a comprehensive approach for development of EMS capabilities across all functions, domains, and levels of warfare. Systems engineering will be utilized to develop the rapid and real-time reprogramming capabilities and system architecture standards required to deliver operationally relevant EMS capabilities to the warfighter and maximize the efficient use of resources. Mission engineering will be utilized to define effects chains, identify capability gaps and dependencies, determine and evaluate system and system-of-system performance, and inform investment decisions for EMS capabilities. This must be supported by analysis from the engineering and system level up to the campaign level. Analytic tools such as modeling, simulation, experiments, exercises, testing, and wargaming are required to provide analysis and decision support for research and development (R&D) and acquisition.Commercial TechnologiesLeverage and Adapt Commercial Technologies_ce44f92a-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001.3Emerging commercial hardware, applications, and operating systems provide EMS-dependent system capabilities in small, low-cost, adaptable packages. However, some commercial technologies are designed for specific purposes and use cases that may not be suitable or meet unique warfighter requirements. DoD will continue to evaluate commercial technologies for mission suitability, flexibility, and adaptability for adoption when appropriate. DoD will also participate in national, international, and industry-specific standards bodies associated with spectrum innovation to collaborate on emerging technologies and their adoption, including national security preemption and priority mechanisms for commercial systems. DoD expects that military investments in EMS technologies will both leverage and augment commercial innovation to the benefit of DoD operations and the national EMS ecosystem as a whole.Battle ManagementDevelop Robust Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) Capabilities_ce44fa74-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001.4EMBM is a comprehensive framework for dynamic monitoring, assessing, planning, and directing of operations in the EMS in support of the commander’s concept of operations. EMBM leverages trusted data sources to provide EMS situational awareness and decision support and interfaces with systems and networks (including broadband and software-defined). The Department must develop EMBM capabilities that can monitor, identify, characterize, and adapt to the operational environment, while providing dynamic control of real-time operations in the EMS via machine-machine and human-machine collaboration. It should provide for automated adjustments to operations based on changing EMOE conditions within the joint planning cycle. ^^ Future EMBM will feature digital modernization, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud-based data and tools, and integration of the Joint All-Domain Command and Control family of systems with EMBM requirements. This capability ensures timely, decisionquality information is provided at varying levels of classification at all levels of command. Additionally, EMBM must address information sharing requirements with industry and partner nations to maximize spectrum sharing opportunities. This will require analysis using modeling, simulation, experiments, exercises, testing, and wargaming that assesses the performance and vulnerabilities of new systems to advanced attack and exploitation techniques. These tools will also be integral in the development of EMBM automated capabilities and in supporting architectures that use enhanced data standards, exchange protocols, business analytics, and adaptive stakeholder relationships. EMBM will enable flexible spectrum maneuver, responsive interference mitigation techniques, and integrated EMS features to enable agile operational functionality. At the tactical level, EMBM will enable real-time EMSO to meet engagement timelines required to defeat peer adversaries. DisruptionField Disruptive EMS Capabilities_ce44fbc8-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea001.5The Department recognizes its adversaries are also reliant on EMS-dependent capabilities and plans to target their vulnerabilities with advanced electromagnetic attack (EA) capabilities designed to keep the enemy in a defensive posture and offset adversary capacity overmatch. Disruptive capabilities will impose cost and create chaos for our adversaries, in ways they cannot predict, by denying or deceiving their EMS capabilities at the time and place of our choosing. Developing disruptive EW capabilities and attributes requires the most advanced technology the Department can bring to bear and must incorporate autonomous, cognitive, and asymmetric capabilities by harnessing cutting edge technologies such as AI and photonics. Advanced capabilities in directed energy, RF-enabled cyber, and multifunctional EMS systems all networked and operating at machine speed are required to provide future commanders with scalable options to achieve EMS superiority and military overmatch. ^^ To enable offensive EMS activities, DoD must field the electromagnetic support (ES) and analytic capabilities that enable full EMS battlespace awareness. These capabilities need to detect, identify, locate and replicate complex emitters/signals of interest rapidly to build situational awareness and enable targeting for both kinetic and non-kinetic fires. These vital corollary systems will unravel the chaos of a congested and contested EMOE and provide near-real-time situational awareness for EMBM as well as real-time targeting information to attack adversary forces as they use the EMS. Networked, adaptive, and distributed, both traditional and non-traditional sensors will provide the integrated data, enabled by machine learning and assured EMS distribution to the warfighter, required to implement disruptive EW and ensure joint lethality. Operational forces must also be capable of sharing EMS data to and from the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE) at machine speed. Only through informed EMBM and highly interoperable (cooperative and complementary) EMSdependent systems throughout the joint force can this level of EMS superiority be achieved.InfrastructureEvolve to an Agile, Fully Integrated EMS Infrastructure_ce44fd26-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea002Operations & PlanningAccelerate EMS Information Integration into Operations and Planning_ce45015e-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea002.1The Department requires a paradigm change in how it processes large quantities of EMS data in rapidly changing EMOEs. DoD must aggregate, analyze, and deliver fused operator and machine-readable system data for all of its own forces’, allied, neutral, and adversary EMS-dependent systems to support EMBM. EMSO expertise at the operational and tactical levels (e.g., joint EMSO cells (JEMSOCs) at Combatant Commands) require this fused information to plan and synchronize EMS operations in support of the commander’s scheme of maneuver. Commanders require scalable options to control conflict escalation, protect U.S. forces, and ensure military success. ^^ DoD should invest in autonomous/semi-autonomous systems that use AI/machine learning and access cloud-based tools without being constantly dependent on them. Storing and processing information from the disparate sources and multiple security levels must be evaluated against real-time impacts on operations. DoD must have the operational capability to assess the EMOE rapidly and adapt to emergent adversary capabilities and environmental challenges. In addition to near-real-time analysis, accurate operational information assists in modeling across multiple EMOE scenarios that will drive spectrum requirements in the early stages of R&D, capability development, system reprogramming, and operational planning. This operational information is required to support analysis from the engineering and system levels to the campaign level. Analysis tools, including modeling, simulation, experiments, exercises, testing, and wargaming, are required.IntelligenceDedicated Intelligence for EMS Superiority_ce450302-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea002.2EMS Superiority requires robust intelligence collection, analysis, and validation of the following key areas: parametric data, which encompasses all EMS sensors, communications, datalinks, radars, jammers, directed energy, electro-optics, and infrared systems; engineering data, which describes the performance, characteristics, and signature information of the associated equipment, weapons, and platforms; order of battle data; combat support data; and modeling and simulation support. Modeling and simulation fidelity must support all levels of operations, up to and including campaign modeling and support to operational wargaming. ^^ The DIE is responsible for the collection, analysis, validation, and dissemination of threat data and information for all facets of military operations and acquisitions. The DIE, the Military Services, and the acquisition community must integrate their data and processing capabilities for sharing at machine speed to benefit both in the buildout of cognitive EMS systems, nearreal-time processing schemas, and data mining and fusion capabilities. Integration is essential to construct, compose, train, and effectively manage forces at the speed of 21st Century combat. ^^ Validated intelligence data and accurate and current assessments underpin the success of EMSdependent systems. Systems and capabilities supported by DIE-generated intelligence data and information include ES sensors and radar warning; EA active and self-protect jammers; near-real-time operations, and Battle Management planning; EP and inherent safety; and integrated cyber and EMS operations. The data requirements to support operations and analysis span all red (adversary/hostile), blue (U.S.), gray (coalition or potentially friendly), and white (commercial/non-military) EMS sensor systems, associated support equipment, weapons and space platforms, order of battle, RF telecommunications, combat support, and modeling, simulation, experiments, exercises, testing, and wargaming.Architectures & StandardsEstablish and Manage Architectures and Standards that Enable Interoperability, Efficiency, and Information Sharing_ce4506ea-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea002.3To build an integrated EMS enterprise, the Department must establish and enforce architectures and standards for all systems that interface with the EMS in order to support EMSO and enable international spectrum sharing, coalition and joint force interoperability, and the rapid exchange of information on EMSO-relevant timescales. The EMS architectures must follow a common methodology, with products and outputs that are compatible with higher-level architectures for developing the overall picture and supporting mission analysis. Information must be managed within multiple security domains and shared external to DoD when appropriate with allies, mission partners, and the commercial sector. In addition, DoD must manage EMS data consistent with current DoD-level data guidance to ensure it is accessible, understandable, and reliable among all Services and agencies. Personnel and applications will be able to locate and access trusted spectrum data in standardized formats, seamlessly integrated across all levels of EMSO-related military activities.Testing, Training & AnalysisModernize EMS Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC), Infrastructure for Testing, Training, and Analysis_ce450884-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea002.4As EMS-dependent capabilities become more complex, the testing infrastructure (which includes modeling and simulation) needs to evolve and expand to pace adversary capabilities. It must sufficiently stress systems to the limits of their operational expectations. Capabilities need to be developed and tested in operationally realistic EMOEs, which will also allow for experimentation of new concepts and capabilities. The Department requires the ability to analyze and test EMS-dependent capabilities under a range of realistic scenarios, from peacetime to wartime, against near-peer competitors, all while protecting classified information. ^^ A modernized DoD test and training infrastructure should contain an optimized mix of LVC capabilities and blend realistic adversary, friendly, and environmental simulators/emulators with the capability to inject synthetic entities into live platforms and provide operationally realistic EMOEs. This infrastructure must leverage the DIE to ensure accurate modeling and simulation of current and anticipated adversary capabilities. LVC components (e.g., models and simulation) should be validated to the maximum extent possible by robust open air, land, and sea testing and support all levels of analysis. ^^ To ensure personnel possess the tools, knowledge, and threat awareness needed, training should be conducted in operationally representative EMOEs, including up to that expected with near-peer competitors. Training infrastructure must prepare the joint force to operate when freedom of action in the EMS is denied or contested. Secure LVC environments should be leveraged in order to protect classified information from the soon to be ubiquitous observation of adversaries while training in complex EMOEs. Training infrastructure should upgrade to pace our adversaries and include individual proficiency training through large force exercises that challenge the joint force in high-end, near-peer environments.ReadinessPursue Total Force EMS Readiness_ce450afa-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea003ExpertiseTrain and Sustain EMS Expertise_ce450c8a-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea003.1The Department will ensure all personnel are indoctrinated and trained at the appropriate level on EMS core concepts that enable an EMS maneuver mindset. They should understand the EMS impacts on their capabilities, operations, and plans. Training will be tailored to meet the needs of personnel at each level of Department structure – from technicians, to requirements personnel, to operators, and to top-level commanders. The Department will ensure all identified members of the EMS workforce are appropriately trained and retain relevant EMS skills and expertise. ^^ The professionals of the EMS workforce maintain EMS-related specialties in technical and operational EMSO communities (traditionally EMSM and EW). These military and civilian professionals are specially trained and possess EMS expertise that spans the continuum from industry engineer, to tactical employer, to operational commander. All members identified as EMS professionals will be deliberately tracked to enable the Department to sustain a posture of EMS superiority. DoD will update existing and planned formal training and education to ensure the availability of well-rounded EMS Professionals to fill critical billets.Concepts, Doctrine & EducationIncorporate EMS Concepts and Doctrine into Formal Education_ce450e38-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea003.2The EMS enterprise will routinely engage with formal military education institutions to ensure coursework at all levels includes a wide span of EMS activities and reflects changes as new technology, doctrine, and threats emerge. EMS curricula should encompass understanding of the acquisition, policy, and support structure behind EMS capabilities, as well as developing proficiency in operational planning and execution for EMS superiority. DoD will develop EMS professionals with deep knowledge of EMSO concepts, doctrine, and tactics. DoD will also develop EMS professionals versed in domestic and international spectrum policy and regulations to participate in those fora to advocate for and protect national security objectives.ReadinessEvaluate and Track EMS Readiness_ce450fd2-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea003.3Total force readiness in the EMS will be grown, tracked, and sustained. DoD Components will be evaluated to ensure they are prepared for their missions. Achieving EMS readiness in complex EMOEs requires demonstration of effective operation and integration of DoD EMS-based tools and capabilities. Periodic individual and unit-level training, joint force exercises, rehearsals, and war-games must occur under, or simulate, realistic operational conditions (live, virtual, and constructive modes) and must integrate all EMS capabilities and challenges, including interference and jamming scenarios.PartnershipsSecure Enduring Partnerships for EMS Advantage_ce451180-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea004International ForaIncrease Leadership in International Fora_ce451644-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea004.1International ForaStrong international alliances and partnerships are foundational to the Department’s ability to execute its complex global missions and conduct effective operations in the EMS as referenced in the NDS. The Department must rely on strong international alliances and partnerships to ensure EMS access policies support the U.S. military in conducting its full range of global operations. Successful engagement in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) treaty processes, including the World Radio-communication Conference (WRC), will help to maximize DoD EMS access where and when needed to meet wartime and peacetime national security objectives. Of note, this successful international engagement begins with effective Department participation in domestic processes.Access, Interoperability & CapacityEnhance Access, Interoperability, and Capacity with Allies and Partners_ce4517e8-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea004.2AlliesPartnersU.S. military operations are rarely conducted unilaterally and are increasingly reliant on contributions from our allies and partners. DoD must ensure EMS enterprise development efforts are interoperable and aligned with our allies and partners and should remove barriers limiting collaboration. This requires interoperable data sources and architectures. The Department will help develop military-to-military agreements, host nation agreements, agreements with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other allies and partners focused on enabling coalitions the use of their full portfolio of EMS capabilities. ^^ This requires the means (software, data standards, transport channels, etc.) to move and process data at machine speeds with allies and partners. DoD must encourage our allies and partners to adopt, build, or enhance EMS capabilities that will increase our combined coalition EMS capability and capacity with particular focus on near-peer threats. This cooperation includes the need to expand opportunities for coalition EMS testing, training, and education in the United States and abroad.Domestic ProcessesIncrease Leadership in Domestic Processes_ce451b26-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea004.3DoD engages with the White House, Congress, the State Department, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), other Federal departments and agencies, academia, and industry to ensure U.S. leadership on commercial and government uses of the EMS. This engagement includes: EMS access policies and regulations, developing technology, educating key stakeholders, and fostering close collaboration with the academic community, leading research centers, and the U.S. industrial base. DoD’s industrial manufacturing base relies on aligned policies and clear guidance to provide investment certainty as they build critical DoD capabilities. The 2018 Presidential Memorandum on Developing a Sustainable Spectrum Strategy for America’s Future makes clear that “access to spectrum is a critical component of the technological capabilities that enable economic activity and protect national security.” ^^ The Department continues to view spectrum sharing as critical to reaching DoD and national goals. To that end, DoD must continue to reform regulatory proposals, remain active in regulatory and policy fora, and take proactive measures to implement regulatory and policy changes. Additionally, DoD must continue to widen engagement to advance development of sharing technologies to satisfy the growing commercial and national security requirements for spectrum access. Partnerships with other Federal departments and agencies, industry, and academia, including the National Advanced Spectrum and Communication Test Network and the National Spectrum Consortium, are bearing fruit to solve some of DoD’s most challenging EMS issues related to increased sharingGovernanceEstablish Effective EMS Governance_ce451cfc-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea005ActivitiesUnify Department-wide EMS Enterprise Activities_ce451e96-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea005.1DoD will embrace an enterprise approach to align EMS resources and synchronize activities. An effective EMS enterprise requires strong governance in force development as well as operations. Effective EMS Enterprise governance harmonizes EMS policies and capability development at the earliest stages. It must align broader organizational principles and set priorities across the Department. The development and sustainment of an EMS Workforce that can effectively mitigate threats and provide operational advantages over a range of adversaries and differing EMOEs will be a key requirement. ^^ The EMS enterprise will achieve effective EMSO by establishing priorities and providing capabilities necessary for EMS superiority. As warfighter needs and operational threats continue to evolve, the DoD EMS enterprise must be responsive. The DoD must identify the industrial base barriers to producing gamechanging EMS capabilities, including the need for secure supply chain and trusted production of critical technologies. Research, development, acquisition, and sustainment of future system portfolios must be synchronized across the DoD components to identify and manage spectrum risks and opportunities, avoid duplication of effort, and increase affordability.Process ImprovementDevelop a Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Culture_ce452026-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea005.2DoD EMS Enterprise will institutionalize a CPI mindset to create a long-lasting culture of innovation, empowerment, and improvement. It will do this by implementing common iterative and disciplined CPI activities throughout an EMS superiority campaign that is held accountable through status reporting to the Secretary of Defense. This will reduce the cost of doing business while maximizing DoD’s agility and EMS capabilities, while harmonizing the Services’ EMS capabilities and process development. ^^ DoD must align and develop business processes and prioritize resources to counter threats. As threats evolve or new ones emerge, the EMS enterprise must adapt to ensure the Department is prepared to meet the new challenges efficiently and effectively. An organizational mindset geared to continuous improvement and based on data analytics capabilities is necessary to cultivate data-driven solutions that will ensure superiority over our adversaries and keep pace with technology and industryPoliciesPromote Policies That Support DoD EMS Capabilities and Operations_ce4521d4-39f5-11ed-b5f9-2f9f1b83ea005.3DoD must develop, advocate, harmonize, and provide oversight of spectrum policies that minimize constraints to DoD global operations. Domestically, EMS Enterprise governance will ensure policies allow DoD to conduct R&D, testing, training, exercises, and homeland defense operations. As forces deploy globally, international spectrum policies are also a priority due to their potential impact on basing and operations of U.S. forces abroad. Policies must balance important U.S. economic development objectives, while preserving military capabilities and limiting constraints to the use of those capabilities. As spectrum demands continue to increase, policies that promote more efficient use of spectrum through sharing technologies are vital. As the Department is only authoritative regarding its own spectrum policies, DoD must work with partners across the U.S. Government (including NTIA and FCC) and internationally to shape favorable outcomes.2020-10-312022-09-21https://media.defense.gov/2020/Oct/29/2002525927/-1/-1/0/ELECTROMAGNETIC_SPECTRUM_SUPERIORITY_STRATEGY.PDFOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net