Difference between revisions of "Electronic countermeasures"

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'''Electronic countermeasures''' consist of technologies and techniques used to defeat enemy sensor systems, both in combat and in other situations. They can take the form of sensor jamming, stealth systems, decoys, and cloaking devices.
'''Electronic countermeasures''' (abbreviated '''ECM''') consist of technologies and techniques used to defeat enemy [[sensor]] systems, both in combat and in other situations. They can take the form of sensor jamming, stealth systems, decoys, and [[cloaking device]]s (which are a futuristic type of active stealth).


==Stealth==
==Stealth==
Stealth is a particular type of countermeasure that keeps a vehicle from showing up on enemy sensors.  The principals of stealth are to minimize reflections from active sensor systems and to minimize emissions that might be detectable to passive sensor systems.
Stealth is a type of countermeasure designed to keep a vehicle from showing up on enemy sensors.  The principals of stealth are to minimize reflections from active sensor systems and to minimize emissions that might be detectable to passive sensor systems.


As an example, modern stealth aircraft are made of materials that absorb the electromagnetic waves emitted by RADAR systems, reducing the amount of energy they reflect.  Furthermore, the fuselage of a stealth aircraft is carefully shaped to keep whatever energy it does reflect from bouncing directly back toward its source.  With its own RADAR system turned off, a stealth aircraft can have RADAR profile smaller than that of a bird.
As an example, modern stealth aircraft are made of materials that absorb the electromagnetic waves emitted by [[RADAR]] systems, reducing the amount of energy they reflect.  Furthermore, the fuselage of a stealth aircraft is carefully shaped to keep whatever energy does reflect from bouncing directly back toward its source.  With its own RADAR system turned off, a stealth aircraft can have a RADAR profile smaller than that of a bird.


==Jamming==
==Jamming==
Jamming is is an effort to blind enemy sensors with an overload of signal.  If successful, the effect of jamming on a sensor system is much like looking at a very bright light with your unprotected eyes: you know there's a light source, but you may not be able to identify it because of the glare, and you may not be able to see other objects near the light source.  Similarly, loud music from a stereo would be easy to hear, but the loud noise could easily drown out the sound of several people sneaking around the area.
Jamming is an effort to blind enemy sensors with an overload of signal.  If successful, the effect of jamming on a sensor system is much like looking at a very bright light with your unprotected eyes: you know there's a light source, but you may not be able to identify it because of the glare, and you may not be able to see other objects near the light source.  Similarly, loud music from a stereo would be easy to hear, but the loud noise could easily drown out the sound of several people sneaking around the area.


A source of electronic jamming doesn't conceal its own existence, but it can disguise itself and potentially hide numerous other objects behind the glare of signal it produces.
A source of electronic jamming doesn't conceal its own existence, but it can keep itself from being identified and potentially hide numerous other objects behind the glare of signal it produces.
 
==Spoofing==
Spoofing is an effort to fool enemy sensors into reporting false information.  If successful, the sensor will report detecting something different from what is actually present.  A spoofing system might send out signals or energy patterns consistent with something harmless or friendly, disguising an approaching threat.  Spoofing might be accomplished by configuring a vehicle to reflect active sensor waves in the same pattern as a friendly vehicle or by mimicking the [[transponder]] transmissions of a friendly vehicle.
 
==Decoys==
A decoy is a type of spoof that consists of an expendable vehicle designed to present the same image to sensors as a more important vehicle. For example, a submarine might launch a torpedo designed to sound like the submarine itself. The purpose of a decoy may be to distract guided missiles from their intended target or to divert enemy resources away from an actual threat.


== In ''Star Wars'' ==
== In ''Star Wars'' ==
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== In ''Star Trek'' ==
== In ''Star Trek'' ==
The most common ECM in ''[[Star Trek]]'' is the [[cloaking device]]. Sensor jamming and general stealth techniques are sometimes referenced.
The most common ECM in ''[[Star Trek]]'' is the [[cloaking device]]. General stealth, jamming, and spoofing techniques are sometimes referenced.


== In ''Babylon 5'' ==
== In ''Babylon 5'' ==
The most noteworthy ECM in ''[[Babylon 5 (series)|Babylon 5]]'' is the stealth technology employed by the [[Minbari Federation]].  This technology makes Minbari ships essentially invisible to their enemies if they choose to be.  Even when running their own active sensors, Minbari ECM technology prevents the sensors of the other Young Races from obtaining weapon locks.
The most noteworthy ECM in ''[[Babylon 5 (series)|Babylon 5]]'' is the [[Minbari stealth technology|stealth technology]] employed by the [[Minbari Federation]].  This technology makes Minbari ships essentially invisible to enemy [[sensor]]s if they choose to be.  Even when running their own active sensors, Minbari ECM technology prevents the sensors of the other Young Races from obtaining weapon locks.
 
==In ''Mass Effect''==
In ''[[Mass Effect]]'', some ships have special engines and heat sinks that allow them to operate for a period of time without radiating any heat. This is effective in the setting, where infrared sensors are the primary means of detecting starships.


[[Category: Real Technology]]
[[Category:SW Starship Defense]]
[[Category:SW Starship Defense]]
[[Category:ST Starship Defense]]
[[Category:ST Starship Defense]]

Revision as of 20:34, 14 January 2013

Electronic countermeasures (abbreviated ECM) consist of technologies and techniques used to defeat enemy sensor systems, both in combat and in other situations. They can take the form of sensor jamming, stealth systems, decoys, and cloaking devices (which are a futuristic type of active stealth).

Stealth

Stealth is a type of countermeasure designed to keep a vehicle from showing up on enemy sensors. The principals of stealth are to minimize reflections from active sensor systems and to minimize emissions that might be detectable to passive sensor systems.

As an example, modern stealth aircraft are made of materials that absorb the electromagnetic waves emitted by RADAR systems, reducing the amount of energy they reflect. Furthermore, the fuselage of a stealth aircraft is carefully shaped to keep whatever energy does reflect from bouncing directly back toward its source. With its own RADAR system turned off, a stealth aircraft can have a RADAR profile smaller than that of a bird.

Jamming

Jamming is an effort to blind enemy sensors with an overload of signal. If successful, the effect of jamming on a sensor system is much like looking at a very bright light with your unprotected eyes: you know there's a light source, but you may not be able to identify it because of the glare, and you may not be able to see other objects near the light source. Similarly, loud music from a stereo would be easy to hear, but the loud noise could easily drown out the sound of several people sneaking around the area.

A source of electronic jamming doesn't conceal its own existence, but it can keep itself from being identified and potentially hide numerous other objects behind the glare of signal it produces.

Spoofing

Spoofing is an effort to fool enemy sensors into reporting false information. If successful, the sensor will report detecting something different from what is actually present. A spoofing system might send out signals or energy patterns consistent with something harmless or friendly, disguising an approaching threat. Spoofing might be accomplished by configuring a vehicle to reflect active sensor waves in the same pattern as a friendly vehicle or by mimicking the transponder transmissions of a friendly vehicle.

Decoys

A decoy is a type of spoof that consists of an expendable vehicle designed to present the same image to sensors as a more important vehicle. For example, a submarine might launch a torpedo designed to sound like the submarine itself. The purpose of a decoy may be to distract guided missiles from their intended target or to divert enemy resources away from an actual threat.

In Star Wars

All combat craft in Star Wars are equipped with some kind of ECM system, typically sensor jamming.

At the Battle of Yavin, the Death Star's jamming was so intense that the Rebel fighters could not detect enemy fighters on electronic sensors (including electronic optical sensors) until the Imperial fighters were right on top of them. The Rebel pilots had to rely on visual sighting to find enemy fighters.

In Star Trek

The most common ECM in Star Trek is the cloaking device. General stealth, jamming, and spoofing techniques are sometimes referenced.

In Babylon 5

The most noteworthy ECM in Babylon 5 is the stealth technology employed by the Minbari Federation. This technology makes Minbari ships essentially invisible to enemy sensors if they choose to be. Even when running their own active sensors, Minbari ECM technology prevents the sensors of the other Young Races from obtaining weapon locks.

In Mass Effect

In Mass Effect, some ships have special engines and heat sinks that allow them to operate for a period of time without radiating any heat. This is effective in the setting, where infrared sensors are the primary means of detecting starships.