Capabilities

Speed Electromagnetic Operations in the Indo-Pacific

EMSO Challenges & Solutions
SpectrEMPulse

Evolving EMSO: How to dominate the invisible frontier

Military leaders need transformational spectrum operations technologies to ensure decision advantage for forces in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. The Department of Defense (DOD) defines electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) as “coordinated military actions to exploit, attack, protect, and manage the electromagnetic environment.” Working with defense stakeholders, our engineers are identifying top challenges that can be conquered using a modular, open-systems approach.

Potential adversaries have developed technologies that challenge the military's ability to effectively use the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) by degrading or denying access, jamming signals, and disrupting geolocation-enabled devices. “In short, adversaries are trying to control the EMS,” says Dr. Charles Johnson-Bey, a Booz Allen senior vice president who leads emerging technology development.

“Spectrum operations are essential to achieving control of all-domain operations.”

- Scott "Sherm" Oliver, Booz Allen mission expert and former DOD EMSO leader

Rapid instantiation of leading-edge technologies and capabilities is critical to ensure freedom of action within the electromagnetic operating environment. “We need to do a better job of visualizing EMSO in near-real time and building more effective tools to plan, manage, or integrate it,” says Scott “Sherm” Oliver, a Booz Allen mission expert and former leader from the Secretary of Defense’s EMSO cross-functional team. “Spectrum operations are essential to achieving control of all-domain operations,” he adds.

EMSO Challenges

Featured Solution: SpectrEMPulse

“Electromagnetic platforms are collecting a lot of data that could be useful, but currently it’s thrown away,” says Jeff Palumbo, a Booz Allen chief engineer who leads development on digital solutions for military clients. “Our SpectrEMPulse capability allows us to turn opportunistic data into operationally relevant data.”

SpectrEMPulse uses machine learning and advanced signal processing to distill massive amounts of sensor data into actionable intelligence. It gives tactical users rich near-real-time data to conduct spectrum management and electromagnetic warfare operations over legacy and limited networks at the tactical edge.

“It’s like finding a needle in a haystack—only first you identify what the needle is, what that useful information would be, and then you go find it and fuse it with other data for analysis,” Jeff says. “It’s an easy-to-use way to empower the warfighter to receive rapid insights that might otherwise be overlooked.”

“In working with our Indo-Pacific partners, we see opportunities to bring transformative solutions to address some of the barriers to improved EMSO,” says Charles. “Providing intuitive, powerful analytic tools that integrate into the larger environment are one way to solve challenges faster.” He notes that many of the solutions that will enable EMSO to evolve will also further the connected vision of All-Domain Command and Control.

One thing is certain: The electromagnetic spectrum is a top priority to enable INDOPACOM operations and partnerships, and rapid innovation is imperative. As Scott says, “Whoever controls the spectrum, controls the domain.”