Electromagnetic spectrum is new war zone

UPI
Posted: 2008-04-21 18:37:44

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., April 18 (UPI) -- Officials from the new U.S. Air Force Cyber Command say the battleground of the future will be dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The Air Force Cyber Command's 450th Electronic Warfare Wing, set to become operational by Oct. 1, says war is real in the electromagnetic spectrum with terrorists utilizing cell phones to set off explosives or using radar and radio waves to disrupt U.S. combat missions, the Air Force reported.

Officials say AFCYBER has been working to upgrade capabilities using lasers, microwaves and high-powered electromagnetic pulses in the electromagnetic spectrum along with non-visible aspects of the spectrum including infrared, ultra violet, gamma rays and X-ray technologies, the Air Force reported.

"We've been asked to look at expanding our capabilities and one of these areas is through the use of directed energy such as lasers or microwaves or high powered electromagnetic pulses, for example," Lt. Col. Tim Sands, the AFCYBER transition team chief, said in a statement.

"It still generates an effect, but not in the traditional sense that we must actually drop a munition on our target. Just what will be the scope of operations in this venue is an area that will require intense research and coordination to make sure our commanders have the tools they need both offensively and defensively."