Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Military forces have fought for control of land, sea, and air for centuries. Now, a different type of contest unfolds across the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional combat zones, success here is measured not by territory gained, but by the ability to communicate, detect, and disrupt.
As military operations increasingly leverage space-based assets for surveillance and communications, both performance and reliability of RF and microwave products become defining factors in operational success.
A Competitive and Congested Environment
The electromagnetic spectrum has grown increasingly crowded over the past decade. Military officials began raising concerns about spectrum congestion and competition as early as 2015, and these challenges have only intensified since then.
Competition comes from both civilian and commercial sources. The proliferation of 5G technologies has led to increased densification of broadcasting systems, particularly in the 2.7 to 4GHz band—which overlaps with military radar and satellite communications systems. With 6G technologies on the horizon targeting even higher frequency bands up to 100 GHz, the competition for spectrum will further intensify, creating additional overlaps with critical military applications in the millimeter wave bands.
This congestion creates numerous operational challenges:
- Tactical radio communications with higher data rates compete with commercial systems
- Satellite communications in the Ka-band (20-30 GHz) interfere with military telecommand systems
- Weather systems operating between 23.8 and 24GHz affect the reliability of military weather forecasts
- Radar and SIGINT systems face increasing interference from 5G technologies
These issues intensify in contested environments where adversaries deliberately jam or interfere with electromagnetic capabilities. War on the Rocks highlights how near-peer competitors have invested resources into challenging advantages in the electromagnetic spectrum, developing capabilities to detect stealth aircraft and disrupt the command and control links essential for military operations.
The Technical Requirements for Mission Success
Operating effectively in this contested domain requires equipment designed to maintain performance under extreme conditions. Engineers and technicians testing wideband RF converters face challenges in design, integration, and measurement—all of which determine reliable performance.
According to APC Technology, insufficient characterization in electronic warfare and satellite communications systems leads to several notable issues:
- Signal processing and jamming capabilities can be compromised
- Operational windows may be missed due to delays, leading to increased costs
- Equipment becomes more vulnerable to interference under critical conditions
- Communication security and personnel safety may be put at risk
Technologies Shaping the Electromagnetic Battlefield
Several technologies have emerged as defining elements of modern electromagnetic warfare:
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) creates high-resolution images by using the motion of radar antennas over target areas. SAR systems penetrate clouds, rain, and darkness, allowing for continuous data acquisition regardless of weather conditions. They provide all-weather, day-and-night capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting—making them valuable tools for intelligence gathering and monitoring enemy activities.
Wideband Amplifiers operating at frequencies up to 40 GHz support electronic warfare applications by enabling jamming capabilities across broad frequency ranges. These components must maintain performance in hostile electromagnetic environments where interference is deliberate and sophisticated.
RF Converters form the backbone of signal processing chains in both electronic warfare and satellite communications. Proper characterization of these components ensures effective signal processing, jamming capabilities, and resistance to countermeasures—all vital for mission success.
Why Quality and Reliability Matter
Component quality and reliability directly determine mission outcomes in electromagnetic warfare applications. The consequences of equipment failure during critical operations extend far beyond financial costs:
- In electronic warfare scenarios, unreliable components can expose forces to detection and targeting
- During intelligence gathering missions, signal degradation from poor quality components might result in missed tactical information
- For satellite communications, component failures can sever command links during critical operations
Equipment used in electromagnetic spectrum operations must function consistently under extreme environmental conditions, including temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, and mechanical stress. These components often need to operate continuously for extended periods without maintenance opportunities.
Equally important is performance—the ability of components to deliver precise specifications across wide frequency ranges, maintain signal integrity under interference, and process complex waveforms with minimal distortion. In the contested electromagnetic environment, high-performance components provide the technical edge needed to overcome adversary countermeasures.
Responding to the Challenge
Success in electromagnetic spectrum operations requires three critical elements:
Strategic Focus: Rather than attempting to control the entire spectrum at all times, military operations now target specific frequencies in critical areas during key operational windows.
Advanced Systems Integration: Current military thinking emphasizes integrating existing technologies into weapons systems that can effectively disrupt enemy detection and command networks.
High-Performance Components: We engineer specialized components specifically for electronic warfare and space applications:
- High-power amplifiers that deliver consistent performance in contested environments
- Low-noise amplifiers that maintain signal integrity even with attempted interference
- RF converters that process signals precisely under mission-critical conditions
Our rigorous testing methodology simulates the harsh conditions of operational deployment, identifying potential vulnerabilities before equipment reaches the field. This process prevents equipment failures where they matter most—in active operations where reliability directly impacts mission outcomes.
ERZIA's Technical Solutions for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
Our product portfolio includes specialized RF and microwave components designed specifically for the demanding requirements of electromagnetic spectrum warfare, such as:
ERZ-HPA-0002-0600-42: This high-power amplifier provides 41 dBm output power with a gain of 40 dB across a wideband frequency range of 0.02 to 6.0 GHz. Its specialized design makes it ideal for radar jamming applications, delivering consistent performance under extreme conditions.
ERZ-HPA-3400-3600-43: Developed specifically for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) applications, this Ka-band high-power amplifier delivers 43 dBm output power with a gain of 43 dB in the 34.00 to 36.00 GHz frequency range. This component is critical for reconnaissance and surveillance systems that require all-weather imaging capabilities.
ERZ-LNA-1730-2260-40-1.5: This low-noise amplifier is designed for the unique requirements of military SATCOM systems, with an exceptionally low noise figure of 1.5 dB and a gain of 40 dB. The operating bandwidth from 17.7 GHz to 22 GHz spanning both military and civil Ka-band frequencies makes it ideal for secure communications in contested environments.
ERZ-HPA-1730-2120-44: This high-power GaN-based amplifier delivers 50 dB gain with 43.5 dBm saturated output power in the 1.73 to 2.12 GHz range, supporting communications systems that must maintain connectivity in contested spectrum environments.
Each component undergoes comprehensive testing and characterization to ensure performance under the extreme conditions encountered in electromagnetic warfare scenarios, including temperature cycling, vibration testing, and electromagnetic interference validation.
Field-Proven Applications
Our electronic warfare solutions serve diverse military platforms including aircraft, naval systems, drones, and ground deployments. We've established strategic partnerships with leading defense contractors worldwide:
- Collaboration with Thales Nederland to improve systems capabilities with high-power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, mixers, and switches operating from S-band up to K-band
- Development of radar subsystems for Raytheon Deutschland's advanced radar detection systems capable of detecting multiple targets simultaneously at unprecedented speed
- Production of integrated microwave assemblies for electronic warfare systems under multi-year contracts with INDRA for the Spanish Navy's F-110 frigate's electronic counter and intelligence systems
These real-world deployments validate our components' performance in mission-critical applications where spectrum dominance provides tactical advantage.
Moving Forward in a Complex Domain
The competition for electromagnetic spectrum control will only intensify. Military organizations with access to high-performance, reliable components maintain distinct operational advantages in this domain.
As electronic warfare and space-based operations become increasingly central to military planning, both component quality and performance drive mission success. As one of the top microwave and RF (MW & RF) providers in the world, we understand the unique demands of electromagnetic spectrum warfare and deliver solutions that meet these exacting requirements.
For more information about our RF and microwave solutions for electronic warfare and space applications, contact us today to start a conversation.
Share