During a recent conversation on the “From the Crows’ Nest” podcast, host Ken Miller and Dustin Hellwig, founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Chesapeake Technology Institute, delved deep into this complex issue. Hellwig’s extensive experience in spectrum and EW and environments provided critical insights into the challenges and potential solutions for unifying the EW community.
The Disjointed Nature of EW and the Need for Unity
Ken Miller highlighted a longstanding issue: the EW community often struggles to remain relevant amid the rapid evolution of related fields like information operations and cyber warfare. As our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum’s role in modern conflict grows, so too does the need for a more cohesive approach that aligns these disparate domains.
Hellwig agreed, noting that while the EW community has evolved significantly over the decades, it often finds itself lumped into broader categories such as non-kinetic or non-lethal effects. This grouping can lead to confusion and a lack of clarity when defining the specific effects each community is trying to achieve in the battlespace.
“Whether we’re delivering electronic warfare or electronic attack, whether we have offensive cyber capabilities, or whether we’re using information for influence or manipulating the human terrain—these are all effects that need to be integrated cohesively to support commander’s intent,” Hellwig explained.
“This disruption of information transfer is something we can quantify and optimize across various domains, from EW to cyber operations.”
A Unified Framework for Operational Relevance
One of the core ideas Hellwig has been developing is a mathematical framework to unify these disparate capabilities. His work, initially supported by DARPA, focuses on visualizing and conceptualizing the various elements of spectrum operations to provide a coherent picture at the combatant commander level.
The concept revolves around translating commander’s intent into a set of mission-essential tasks, which can then be optimized mathematically. “For example, if the commander’s intent is to take an island, we know that part of that is denying the enemy’s radar’s ability to detect our platforms,” Hellwig said. “This disruption of information transfer is something we can quantify and optimize across various domains, from EW to cyber operations.”
“We can use large language models and other AI technologies to break down commander’s intent into mission-essential tasks that can be observed objectively or mathematically.”
The Challenge of Translating Commander’s Intent
One of the significant challenges in Hellwig’s approach is translating the often-abstract concept of commander’s intent into a precise mathematical formula. While physical elements of the spectrum, such as frequency and bandwidth, are relatively immutable, the human and informational aspects are far more dynamic and challenging to quantify.
To address this, Hellwig suggests using emerging technologies like machine learning to decompose commander’s intent into a set of quantifiable tasks. “We can use large language models and other AI technologies to break down commander’s intent into mission-essential tasks that can be observed objectively or mathematically,” he proposed.
Spectral Volume: A New Dimension in Understanding EW
A key concept in Hellwig’s framework is what he calls “spectral volume,” a multidimensional descriptor of the electromagnetic spectrum that goes beyond traditional frequency allocation and geographical deconfliction. Spectral volume includes waveform depth, polarization, and other features that allow for more efficient and effective spectrum sharing.
This concept is crucial for understanding how different platforms and capabilities can interoperate within the same battlespace. “The axes of this multidimensional space are the same for all platforms,” Hellwig emphasized. “We’re just at different points on those axes based on our mission needs.”
Overcoming the Obstacles to Interoperability
Despite the promise of a unified framework, significant challenges remain—chief among them, the disjointed nature of the various communities involved in electromagnetic spectrum operations. Each service branch and stakeholder group have their own priorities and perspectives, which can limit how we see and utilize the spectrum.
Hellwig believes that while these differences exist, they don’t have to hinder interoperability. “We need to start talking about these concepts in a way that everyone can understand, not just at the doctrinal level but at the operational level,” he urged.
The Path Forward: Aligning Terminology and Concepts
Finally, Miller and Hellwig discussed the importance of aligning terminology across the EW, cyber, and information operations communities. “One of the struggles is that we keep adding more acronyms and terms, which can create confusion and fragmentation,” Miller noted.
Hellwig agreed, stressing that the key to progress lies in adopting a common language and framework that everyone can use to discuss these complex issues. By doing so, the EW community can begin to bridge the gaps between its various factions and work towards a more integrated and effective approach to modern warfare.
Conclusion
The conversation between Ken Miller and Dustin Hellwig offers a compelling look at the challenges and opportunities facing the EW community. As the battlespace continues to evolve, the need for a unified, mathematically grounded framework becomes increasingly critical. By aligning concepts, terminology, and operational approaches, the EW community can position itself at the forefront of modern warfare, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective in the years to come.
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