Is there a danger that the US military’s tactical radio stations will be jammed?
The military is so concerned about the threats to its SINCGARS radio stations (single-channel terrestrial and air radio system) technical conference in December to identify threats and find solutions.
The Waveforms Army PdM or PdM WF “has identified potential near / medium / long-range threats that may require changes in the software waveform,” according to the conference announcement. “PdM WF is interested in seeking feedback on possible waveform improvements and electronic warfare (EW) protection techniques to combat any potential short-term or medium-term / future threats.”
Electronic warfare has become a problem for the US military after Russia successfully used an advanced EW to violate Ukrainian military communications. Russia has developed various modern technologies, including ground-based and unmanned jammers. Russia’s Leer-3 drones could also become flying fake mobile phone towers capable of sending messages and hijacking a user’s mobile phone, according to the US Army’s Military Research Service.
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SINCGARS is the main tactical radio of the army, a software-defined radio system implemented in various versions, installed in backpacks, vehicles and aircraft. “The program office [PdM WF] is currently working with military personnel and the user community to consolidate SINCGARS ‘modernization strategy, ”said Paul Mehni, spokesman for the Army’s Executive Office Command Control Communications Tactical (PEO C3T), which oversees PdM WF. “In addition, we continue to coordinate closely with the military intelligence community to gain knowledge and understanding of the evolving threat to software-defined radio stations. Based on knowledge of the current, short-term and long-term threat environment, the program office intends to work with industry partners to determine what technological efforts exist that could affect SINCGARS security upgrades. Final decisions on the modernization strategy and requirements are expected. ”
Lt. Col. Tim Suggers, PEO C3T’s product manager, told National interest that SINCGARS must deal with the same kind of threats that all tactical radio stations face today. “The use of e-war methods in Ukraine is an example of the threat that SINCGARS may face,” he added.
The military is reviewing “trade solutions and R&D efforts” to better understand the environment in which SINCGARS must operate and the dangers it faces. As for the individual soldier, the question is even to know if his communications are blocked. “The operational challenge today is that soldiers have difficulty determining whether radio hardware or software is malfunctioning or in a contentious environment,” Suggers said.
Sugars believes that software-defined radios provide the best protection against jamming. Their software can be quickly modified to counter e-war threats. “However, the biggest challenge in defending SDRs seems to be understanding the evolving threat to EPs and conducting analysis to determine future solutions that will solidify SDRs against those EP threats,” he added.
Michael Peck is a contributor to National interest. It can be found at Twitter and Facebook.
Image: Reuters
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