Field Manual FM 3-36 Electronic Warfare in Operations February 2009

This electronic warfare (EW) doctrine is a key element in the Army's ongoing effort to rebuild and modernize its EW capability. This publication, FM 3-36, the first Army EW doctrine to be issued in nearly a decade, is as timely as it is essential. In addition to directly supporting traditional EW operations, FM 3-36 is moving the Army's EW strategy into cyberspace and the electromagnetic environment and is a great start in providing guidance to commanders and ultimately our national decision makers. It provides commanders clear concepts and doctrine that maximize operational effectiveness across the electromagnetic spectrum in both traditional and evolving technologies. The global proliferation of electronics and wireless transmissions has evolved into a significant technological advantage for our nation while simultaneously creating a greater dependence on technology. This dependence also presents challenges, as our adversaries are constantly developing the means to use these same wireless networks, electronics, computer networks, and electronic warfare capabilities to launch attacks against us. To meet these challenges, the Army is implementing and integrating network and electronic warfare capabilities to counter the hostile use of cyberspace, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum. FM 3-36 provides Army commanders and their staff guidance on how the electromagnetic spectrum can impact their operations and how friendly EW operations can be used to gain an advantage. This manual describes the application of EW in support of full spectrum operations and provides a baseline for ensuring a common understanding and operational consistency. Although new equipment, tactics, techniques, and procedures continue to be developed, the physics of electromagnetic energy remains constant. So, as new strategies and tactics are devised to meet the cyberspace environment of the 21st century, electronic warfare remains a critical component of our national defense. This updated doctrine and other modifications to the Army's operational strategies are testimony to the innovation and vision on which our nation relies in this era of the Cyber Revolution.