Blinding the Enemy: How the PRC Prepares for Radar Countermeasures - Jamestown

"Differences in PRC and US Perceptions of EW

It is important to note that the PRC is learning quickly from the US in EW matters. PRC thinkers keep a very close watch for new ideas coming out of its number one competitor—the US. At a recent Qian Xuesen Forum that saw the gathering of leading PLA-affiliated scientists and engineers, an expert with the PLA’s Strategic Support Force delivered a speech on artificial intelligence and electromagnetic spectrum warfare, an expansion of current EW concepts first publicized in 2015 that has yet to be fully embraced by the Pentagon (81IT Net, February 22).

Perhaps because of this, while PRC and American thinkers use different terminology to describe various aspects of EW, their concepts largely overlap. US experts subdivide EW into three areas: electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection. In Chinese jargon, these three are respectively called electronic countermeasure reconnaissance (电子对抗侦察), electronic offense (电子进攻), and electronic defense (电子防御) (Principles, pp. 2–3).

There are two key differences to note: Firstly, the Chinese jargon “target electronic protection (目标电子防护)” refers specifically to target protection, while the American term “electronic protection” covers a much broader area. Secondly, Americans view jamming and deception as two distinct concepts, while PRC experts see them as an integrated whole (Principles, p. 3–4).

The Chinese term for EW is “electronic countermeasure (电子对抗).” RCM is further defined as “a form of electronic countermeasure aimed at protecting friendly radars and undermining/damaging the effectiveness of enemy radars (including radar countermeasure equipment)"