The use of communication (COM) systems by the US Navy in future combat situations is certain to be countered by severe electronic warfare (EW). Even if hostile efforts are not employed, the proliferation of friendly EM radiation or the use of friendly active EW can have the same effect. ECCM, in the control of operating techniques or electronic circuitry to ignore interfereing signals, will be essential to maintain the continuity of COM. Unless the system has ECCM built in, or can be modified to incorporate ECCM, system usefulness will be severely degraded or even nonexistent.
In new COM systems acquisition, ECCM should be an integral part of the system from the original concept. Under most circumstances, after-the-fact fixes are impractical. Correction of problems after the system is designed or in operation involves considerable expense and yields less than optimum results. DoD requires the implementation of specific efforts to incorporate ECCM from the early conceptual and design phases throughout the life cycle. To accomplish this, the effective program of ECCM management, assessment, engineering and configure control is required and must be integrated into the overall design and engineering effort early in the conceptual phase and continued throughout the life cycle.
This handbook provides guidance for establishing an effective ECCM program throughout the life cycle of a COM system. This handbook assumes that the manager is already completely familiar with the acquisition management process and has a background primarily in management. Following the guidelines presented in this handbook will ensure that the proper emphasis is placed on securing adequate ECCM capability in the operational system.
