CriticalThought
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Many times people bandy around the term 'Electronic Warfare' without actually understanding its full significance. This post attempts to arm the reader with knowledge that enables him to use and interpret the term correctly.
First of all, let's differentiate between electrical and electronic systems. Any system that functions due to the flow of charges, or due to interaction with electromagnetic waves, is an electrical system. Electronic systems are a specialized form of electrical systems that utilize semiconductor devices and implement boolean logic. For the rest of the post, we shall lump them together as E/E systems and specify individually as needed.
The modern world runs on E/E systems. From communication devices, to entertainment, gaming, travelling - electronics are embedded within modern life itself. Electronic warfare encompasses all of the following:
1. Disrupting enemy's E/E systems.
2. Destroying enemy's E/E systems.
3. Causing enemy's E/E systems to behave in unexpected/detrimental ways.
Think for a moment. If all of a sudden, the electronic control systems guiding air traffic at an airport start malfunctioning during peak busy time, how much chaos would be caused? Similarly, if there are widespread power outages leading to shutting down of hospital and emergency services, what would be the result? It is not hard to imagine the damage to a country that can be done through such warfare.
There is a sinister side of EW as well. Because E/E systems are used to present information to people, they can be used to wage psychological warfare. This can involve running false advertisement and misinformation campaigns to cause social and political change. Today, the Internet is one of the biggest mediums of information presentation and inter-exchange. It should come as no surprise that the Internet is also the biggest medium for the control of attention and minds.
In a military context, EW focuses on E/E system of a military nature. This includes communication devices, electronic controllers within equipment, opto-electrical systems, and even support systems such as lighting. We shall consider this in Part 2, Insha Allah.
First of all, let's differentiate between electrical and electronic systems. Any system that functions due to the flow of charges, or due to interaction with electromagnetic waves, is an electrical system. Electronic systems are a specialized form of electrical systems that utilize semiconductor devices and implement boolean logic. For the rest of the post, we shall lump them together as E/E systems and specify individually as needed.
The modern world runs on E/E systems. From communication devices, to entertainment, gaming, travelling - electronics are embedded within modern life itself. Electronic warfare encompasses all of the following:
1. Disrupting enemy's E/E systems.
2. Destroying enemy's E/E systems.
3. Causing enemy's E/E systems to behave in unexpected/detrimental ways.
Think for a moment. If all of a sudden, the electronic control systems guiding air traffic at an airport start malfunctioning during peak busy time, how much chaos would be caused? Similarly, if there are widespread power outages leading to shutting down of hospital and emergency services, what would be the result? It is not hard to imagine the damage to a country that can be done through such warfare.
There is a sinister side of EW as well. Because E/E systems are used to present information to people, they can be used to wage psychological warfare. This can involve running false advertisement and misinformation campaigns to cause social and political change. Today, the Internet is one of the biggest mediums of information presentation and inter-exchange. It should come as no surprise that the Internet is also the biggest medium for the control of attention and minds.
In a military context, EW focuses on E/E system of a military nature. This includes communication devices, electronic controllers within equipment, opto-electrical systems, and even support systems such as lighting. We shall consider this in Part 2, Insha Allah.
