Master the Spectrum: Lessons from Modern Warfare

Recent warfare has revealed the critical importance of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, as conflicts have shifted focus from conventional combat to the influence exerted in the electromagnetic spectrum. Effective EW can disrupt communications and thwart drones, underscoring the need to recognize it as essential terrain in modern combat. Furthermore, the ongoing use of low-cost technology, such as inexpensive drones, has demonstrated a significant capability to offset the costs of high-value military assets, prompting the military to reassess how they integrate and counteract these technologies. Strategies should evolve to ensure that drone capabilities are utilized at every formation level, catering to the varying needs of individual soldiers to larger units. This strategic integration of technologies—ranging from consumer-grade drones to advanced munitions like the Switchblade 600—requires a nuanced understanding of operational needs across different scales of combat.