Army Deploys Detection Tools to Protect Command Posts From Electromagnetic Threats

The U.S. Army is set to deliver its first batch of Spectrum Situational Awareness Systems (S2AS) within three weeks, marking a significant step in enhancing battlefield security against electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) threats. The service will provide nine S2AS units to prioritized Army units, with plans to expand the deployment to 46 systems by July 2027.

Developed by Ohio-based 3dB Labs, the S2AS is designed to help military command posts identify and mitigate their own signal emissions, which can be exploited by adversaries. This initiative comes in response to the evolving nature of modern warfare, particularly highlighted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where EMS has become a critical domain for targeting enemy forces.

Lieutenant Colonel David Picard, product manager for Tactical Spectrum Warfare at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), emphasized that the system aims to reduce friendly unit signatures. "One of our tactics is to minimize our electromagnetic signature," said Picard. "To know if we've succeeded in this effort, we need a way to measure it, and that's what S2AS does."

The detection tool can be carried by two soldiers or mounted on vehicles or tripods, making it versatile for various battlefield scenarios. Each system includes two nodes with handheld detection capabilities, enabling comprehensive monitoring of brigade or division command post signals.

While the Army declined to specify which units will receive these systems first, Picard noted that there is already high demand among commanders. The service awarded 3dB Labs a $6.1 million contract in April 2025 for developing and demonstrating the S2AS prototype over 14 months.

DefenseScoop reported earlier this summer that soldiers testing the Army's Next Generation Command and Control ecosystem were adopting a "hiding in the spectrum" tactic to obscure their positions by matching their signatures with prevalent local emissions. This approach underscores the growing awareness of EMS vulnerabilities within the military.

The S2AS can also detect rogue signals, such as unauthorized cell phone use or radio chatter that violates emission protocols. Although it does not suppress these emissions directly, identifying them allows signal soldiers to address the issue either by physically locating and addressing the source or through secure communication channels if necessary.

Signal officers returning from supporting Ukraine have highlighted a disconnect between current EMS practices and those used during the Global War on Terror (GWOT). They stressed that U.S. military leaders often operate under outdated assumptions about the permissiveness of the electromagnetic environment, necessitating a more cautious approach to signal emissions in modern warfare.

As the battlefield evolves, signal soldiers are expected to become increasingly adept at tactical maneuvers and rapid relocation strategies to avoid detection by adversaries. This heightened awareness and agility will be crucial for maintaining operational security in an era where every emission can potentially reveal troop positions or capabilities.

The deployment of S2AS represents a proactive measure to adapt military operations to the realities of modern warfare, emphasizing the importance of electromagnetic spectrum management as a critical aspect of strategic defense planning.