Fighting in the Electromagnetic Spectrum: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Electronic Warfare Aircraft, Missions, and Equipment

Naval warfare has traditionally been limited to surface combat and undersea clashes, but in the twentieth century, aerial warfare and the electromagnetic spectrum emerged as important domains. Author Thomas Wildenberg's book "Fighting in the Electromagnetic Spectrum" is the first to cover these aircraft, missions, and methods of combat in this fourth domain. It discusses Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW), which involve intercepting and corrupting enemy communication signals transmitted in the "ether." Wildenberg provides details on aircraft and methods, shares lessons learned from World War II and other conflicts, and offers a foundational understanding of this complex form of combat that will shape future great power conflicts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Naval Institute Press

Naval warfare has traditionally been limited to surface combat and submarine clashes, but in the 20th century, aerial warfare emerged as a significant domain, followed shortly by the appearance of the electromagnetic spectrum. Despite its importance in military conflicts on the high seas, there has been limited written exploration of this aspect. In Fighting in the Electromagnetic Spectrum, author Thomas Wildenberg offers the first comprehensive book dedicated to these aircraft, their missions, and the methodology of conducting combat across this fourth domain, the electromagnetic spectrum.

As navies ventured into the use of airwaves, they quickly realized that these waves could be harnessed to gather valuable information about the opposing force. This discovery gave rise to Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), a vital tool for naval warfare. By intercepting or manipulating enemy communication signals transmitted through the "ether," navies began employing Electronic Warfare (EW) as a means of engaging their adversaries.

Wildenberg delves into the secrecy surrounding this enigmatic domain of combat, providing detailed insights into aircraft, methods, and a layman's understanding of key terms. He draws from historical conflicts such as World War II skirmishes and clashes in the Korean and Vietnam wars, sharing valuable lessons learned. Through his book, Wildenberg aims to provide readers with a foundational understanding of this complex form of combat, which is poised to shape future great power conflicts.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682478493