ISBN 13: 978-1-63081-811-1, Artech House, 2021, 239 pages, $126.65 (hardcover)
Reviewed by: Sean Pascoli, U.S. Army DEVCOM Research Laboratory, Adelphi, Maryland, USA
Cognitive Electronic Warfare: An Artificial Intelligence Approach is an essential read for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, as it explores opportunities to serve as a force multiplier for the Joint Force within the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Cognitive Electronic Warfare (CEW) is becoming increasingly important as modern warfare evolves with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence. CEW represents a shift from traditional electronic warfare (EW) techniques, which focus on jamming and disrupting enemy communications and radar systems, to more adaptive and intelligent methods.
Karen Haigh and Julia Andrusenko provide an excellent explanation of how artificial intelligence-driven cognitive systems can enhance EW by enabling faster and more adaptive responses to fluid, rapidly developing conflicts. The book provides just the right amount of detail, covering a myriad of subjects ranging from machine learning to real-time decision-making and how to maneuver in the dynamic RF environment. Dr. Haigh and Ms. Andrusenko have over 40 years of experience in the artificial intelligence/AI-RF problem arena, supporting government customers such as DARPA, AFRL, and ONR while working for industry stalwarts such as Mercury Systems and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
The U.S. Department of Defense has recognized the growing importance of EW in modern warfare, leading to increased investments in research and development. The Pentagon’s 2024 budget included significant allocations for advanced EW systems to maintain a technological edge over potential adversaries. With rising global tensions and rapid technological advancements, the role of electronic warfare in safeguarding national security is more critical than ever. The U.S.’s ongoing investments in EW capabilities aim to ensure it remains at the forefront of this critical area of defense.
One of the areas in EW that is receiving significant investment is Cognitive Electronic Warfare (CEW). The authors present a compelling case for how cognitive artificial intelligence is transforming electronic warfare capabilities, especially as the demand for responsive and adaptive electronic warfare systems continues to increase. By organizing their book into six main themes—adaptive countermeasures, enhanced decision-making, spectrum dominance, resource efficiency, interference reduction, and rapid response to complex threats—the authors provide a comprehensive approach to understanding why Cognitive Electronic Warfare represents a crucial advancement and will serve as a key combat multiplier in future conflicts.
- Adaptive Countermeasures: Cognitive systems can learn and adapt to new signals and tactics in real time. This is critical because modern adversaries can rapidly change their tactics or frequency patterns. CEW systems can detect these changes and adjust countermeasures on the fly, making it harder for adversaries to bypass or counter them.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: CEW leverages machine learning and AI to process and analyze large volumes of data faster than human operators can. This allows for quicker and more informed decision-making in complex combat situations, where traditional EW operators may be overwhelmed by the speed and variety of incoming data.
- Spectrum Dominance: As battles increasingly rely on the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., for communication, navigation, and targeting), controlling this spectrum becomes crucial. Cognitive electronic warfare systems can help achieve spectrum dominance by identifying, classifying, and responding to threats more effectively than non-cognitive systems.
- Resource Efficiency: Cognitive systems can optimize the use of EW resources by dynamically adjusting the power, frequency, and bandwidth of jamming or spoofing signals, conserving energy and reducing the likelihood of detection.
- Interference Reduction: In coalition or joint operations, where multiple systems may be active, cognitive EW systems can help reduce interference with allied or friendly forces’ communication and radar systems by carefully managing the spectrum.
- Rapid Response to Complex Threats: Advanced threats like networked unmanned systems and next-generation missile technologies require faster and more flexible responses. Cognitive electronic warfare provides a way to counter these threats effectively, especially in scenarios where decisions must be made in milliseconds.
The book also has an excellent chapter on Electronic Battlefield Management and how Human-Machine Interface (HMI) complements electronic support and helps the machine understand human users. The authors illustrate this with Raytheon’s EW Planning Management Tool (EWPMT), a program of record since 2014, which enhances a maneuver commander’s ability to plan, coordinate, and synchronize EW, spectrum management, and cyber operations. Using a playbook interface that aligns seamlessly with Hierarchical Task Networks (HTN) planning, EWPMT exemplifies how theory translates into practical application.
Cognitive Electronic Warfare does an outstanding job of demonstrating and explaining how CEW is essential for maintaining a strategic advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum, where future conflicts will likely involve both traditional and unconventional forms of electronic warfare. The authors provide excellent examples linking theory to application throughout the book, equipping the reader with the tools to solve EW problems that can’t be cracked using only traditional methods. The book provides great food for thought as U.S. Special Operations Forces continue to develop electronic warfare requirements and holistically assess their role in maneuvering and shaping the electromagnetic spectrum for the Joint Force.
This book is specifically tailored to meet the operational demands of the warfighter, explaining to the layman how CEW provides U.S. forces with a critical advantage over adversaries by detecting, classifying, and analyzing signals and anomalies. These capabilities are vital in today’s fast-paced operational environments, where the ability to quickly pivot in response to new intelligence can determine the success or failure of a mission. As threats evolve and as the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum becomes increasingly congested and contested, CEW equips U.S.forces with the critical tools they need to dominate the operational and strategic landscape—now and in the future.
Sean Pascoli is Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory.
