Findings from the Air Force’s Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team (ECCT) assembled last year to explore approaches ensuring electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) superiority have yielded three recommendations.
In January 2018, the Air Force formed the cross-functional group, which was led by Brig. Gen. David Gaedecke, director of Cyberspace Operations and Warfighter Communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Arlington, Va.
During a special meeting at the Weapons and Tactics Conference held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, earlier this year Gaedecke provided insight into three enterprise-wide recommendations collectively required for rebuilding and increasing core competency in the EMS: leadership championing and enterprise management; establishing a bridge to advanced technology and competitive capability; and re-instilling a culture of EMS Awareness.
In order to implement the recommendations, the Air Force would unify and organize corporate governance of the EMS enterprise by establishing an EMS Superiority Directorate in the Headquarters Air Force; combine and consolidate EMS services, software programming infrastructure and expertise into a multi-domain organization focused on achieving real-time effects and enable evolution to machine-to-machine adaptive and cognitive spectrum control; and develop and instill an EMS Warrior ethos by building enterprise-wide education and training programs to lead, innovate, integrate, train and build EMS awareness in Airmen at all levels.
“Superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum is fundamental to the National Defense Strategy,” Gaedecke said. “To be a lethal force of the future, we need to lead in research, technology, and innovation. Superiority in the spectrum underpins all of these.”