What types of electronic warfare systems are there?

In today's military environment, electronic warfare (EW) has become an integral part of security systems, critical infrastructure protection, military equipment, and units. Electronic warfare is a set of methods, devices, and systems that implement radio jamming, electronic reconnaissance, jamming of satellite and mobile communications signals, navigation, and control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In this article, we will look at the classification of electronic warfare means according to various criteria: range, mobility and deployment, principle of operation, and the type of threats against which they are used.

Types of electronic warfare by range

One of the most important classification criteria is the radius of influence, coverage area, or range of an electronic warfare system.

• Tactical electronic warfare systems cover an area of up to approximately 50 km. Their key purpose is to provide cover for forward positions, combat equipment, strongpoints, and mobile groups.
• Operational-tactical electronic warfare complexes operate within a range of up to 500 km and are designed not only to cover friendly forces, but also to have a proactive effect — detecting enemy air or ground targets, blocking communication channels or satellite control.
• Strategic electronic warfare systems have a range of over 500 km, are capable of covering large areas, operating deep behind enemy lines, and affecting satellite communication lines, radar systems, aviation, and the navy.

This classification allows us to clearly understand what tasks a particular complex is designed for: whether it is ensuring the security of the front line, covering the operational space, or strategic electronic countermeasures.

Types of electronic warfare systems by mobility and deployment methods

When we talk about electronic warfare systems, it is important to pay attention not only to their power or range, but also to where and how they are deployed.

• Stationary electronic warfare systems are large complexes that are mounted on a permanent base, critical infrastructure (e.g., a base, headquarters, production complex), or a protected position. Advantages: stability, large area of operation, multi-channel influence. Disadvantages: limited mobility, dependence on power supply, less flexibility.
• Mobile electronic warfare systems are mounted on transport platforms: vehicles, armored personnel carriers, trailers, or even sea/river platforms. Such systems provide cover for mobile units, convoys, or task forces.
• Portable (carryable) electronic warfare devices — compact solutions that can be carried by a single operator or a small group. Often used to protect small units, forward positions, trenches, and for local suppression of UAV or FPV drone signals.

This categorization by mobility or deployment method allows you to assess how well the system is adapted to a specific tactical scenario: protecting a base or a mobile group.

Types of electronic warfare by principle of operation and functions

The next important approach is classification based on how the electronic warfare system performs its function: whether it is reconnaissance, suppression, protection, creation of simulation signals, or a combination.

• Radio electronic reconnaissance (RER) systems are designed to detect sources of radio emissions, analyze frequencies, identify enemy signals, determine coordinates, and monitor the radio frequency environment. This is the first stage in electronic warfare.
• Active suppression (jamming) devices create intense noise or directional radio interference that disrupts the operation of enemy communications, navigation, UAV control channels, and radar systems.
• Simulation (disorientation) electronic warfare means — create fictitious or false signals that mislead the enemy, disorient them, and force them to use false information.
• Defensive electronic warfare (radio-electronic protection) modules — systems that protect their own communications and navigation equipment from enemy actions (countering enemy electronic warfare, interference filtering, adaptive frequency reservation).

This functional classification makes it clear that REB systems can perform more than one function — they are often integrated complexes capable of reconnaissance, signal analysis, suppression, and protection.

Types of electronic warfare systems by application and threats

Another approach is to classify them by area of application and the type of threats that the system is designed to neutralize.

• Protection against UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), including FPV drones, reconnaissance and strike drones. Important parameters here are: frequency range (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 1.5 GHz GPS), control modules, video transmission.
• Protection of military equipment, transport, and moving convoys: mobile electronic warfare solutions that accompany movement.
• Protection of critical infrastructure (power plants, gas pipelines, communication networks) — usually stationary electronic warfare complexes with a large area of coverage.
• Protection of rear areas, headquarters, logistics: cover systems that work in conjunction with air defense or other defense systems.

This classification allows solutions to be tailored to specific scenarios: whether it is the protection of an object, a mobile group, or active counteraction to enemy UAVs.

Key characteristics that influence the choice of electronic warfare type

When selecting or designing an electronic warfare system, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:

• Frequency range: effective systems cover wide ranges (e.g., 300 MHz-6 GHz) to target different types of signals — communications, video, GPS.
• Power and range: the higher the power, the greater the radius of influence, but this also places demands on power supply, cooling, and deployment.
• Antenna type and directivity: important elements — omnidirectional (omni), directional (panel, parabolic), quad-filament antennas for a wide frequency range.
• Mobility and deployment: whether it is a stationary installation, a mobile complex on a vehicle, or a portable device.
• Power supply and energy: batteries, generators, 12 V, 24 V power supply, autonomous systems.
• Compatibility with other systems: integration with air defense, communications, navigation, detection sensors. For example, the system has the ability to detect a signal and immediately suppress it.

These parameters allow you to correctly match the characteristics of a specific solution with the application scenario and select the type of electronic warfare that best suits the task.

Types of electronic warfare (EW) cover a wide range of classifications: by range (tactical, operational-tactical, strategic), by mobility (stationary, mobile, portable), by principle of operation (reconnaissance, suppression, simulation, protection), as well as by type of tasks and threats (UAVs, mobile groups, infrastructure objects). Understanding these divisions is key to the correct selection, effective application, and optimization of resources. In a world where the electromagnetic spectrum is becoming a battlefield, it is the clear classification and adaptation of REB tools that ensure advantage, security, and success.