Overcoming Spectrum Challenges For Radar, EW, And Communication Technologies

By Asif Anwar

Today’s sparse spectrum environment, dealing with a data tsunami across military and commercial applications, necessitates tighter requirements for improved spectrum management.

Asymmetric threats and border protection are among the key drivers that will dictate defense spending through 2025. Requirements to look both inward and across borders will be enabled via a layered surveillance structure, which will allow operators to see everything, everywhere, all the time, while remaining situationally aware, so that operators see only what needs to be seen.

However, as the commercial market radio spectrum land-grab continues unabated, the challenges for radar, electronic warfare (EW), and communications systems will include a requirement to operate effectively in an increasingly congested spectrum environment. Additionally, these systems must be able to combat new potential threats, such as the use of unmanned systems, potentially in conjunction with other emerging military system technologies.