What Causes Complex Electromagnetic Environments?

Electromagnetic waves constantly affect daily life and industrial production. The widespread application of electromagnetic energy has driven rapid advancements in industrial technology. While this energy has created significant benefits, it also presents certain risks. The rapid development and application of technologies like wireless communication, power electronics, and computing have made the electromagnetic environment increasingly complex. A complex electromagnetic environment generally refers to one composed of dense, overlapping, and disordered electromagnetic waves.

Radio communication has a long history. As early as 1831, building on the work of his predecessors, English physicist Michael Faraday proposed the law of electromagnetic induction, postulating that magnetism and electricity could be interconverted. This laid the foundation for the study of electromagnetic waves. In 1865, British physicist James Clerk Maxwell established a unified theory of electricity and magnetism, known as Maxwell's equations. He theorized that moving electric charges produce electromagnetic radiation, demonstrating that electricity could propagate wirelessly. In 1887, German scientist Heinrich Hertz experimentally proved the existence of electromagnetic waves by successfully generating and receiving them. Subsequently, in 1895 and 1896, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi and Russian physicist Alexander Popov independently conducted successful radio communication experiments. In 1901, the first successful transatlantic radio communication was achieved, marking the beginning of the electromagnetic era.

In modern warfare, a complex electromagnetic environment primarily refers to the sum of artificial electromagnetic emissions and various electromagnetic phenomena within a specific operational time and space. The main factors contributing to this environment include electronic warfare between opposing forces, high-density, high-intensity, multi-spectrum electromagnetic waves from various weapon systems, radiation from civilian electronic devices, and natural electromagnetic phenomena. Information-centric warfare often begins in the electromagnetic spectrum. Executing wide-spectrum, multi-modal, and multi-layered electronic interference is a fundamental method for achieving electromagnetic superiority.

Causes of Complex Electromagnetic Environments

1. Widespread application of electromagnetic technologies
2. Electronic warfare activities
3. The proliferation of information technology

Impact of Complex Electromagnetic Environments on Warfare

1. Degrades the accuracy of battlefield situational awareness
2. Disrupts the stability of command and control
3. Reduces the effectiveness of combat operations

Strategies for C2 Systems in Complex EMEs

1. Focus on protecting command and control communication networks to ensure reliable connectivity.
2. Strengthen the electromagnetic hardening and shielding of command posts and critical infrastructure.
3. Develop comprehensive protection strategies for key economic targets to ensure their operational stability.
4. Integrate electromagnetic spectrum resources and defensive assets to enable effective electronic countermeasures.