Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) in a Multi-domain Battlefield

Abstract

Contemporary adversaries aim to integrate lines of operations across information, cyber, electromagnetic, and kinetic domains. They take advantage of the digitalisation of the information realm, which opens avenues to deliver impact at the cognitive and social levels. Simultaneously, the demand for mobility and dispersion on the battlefield multiplies the need for transceivers and wireless communication. Naturally, this increases the targets for electronic attacks; for example, battlespace transceivers open new avenues for breaching isolated cyber domains. The military is gradually generating cyber and electromagnetic abilities into its capability portfolio, but often lacks appreciation for their combined impact on a modern multi-domain battlefield. Therefore, the paper uses design science methods to develop a model of CyberElectromagnetic Activities (CEMA) and Enterprise Architecture (EA) views, illustrating them in the context of a modern multi-domain battlefield. First, the paper aims to define modern CyberElectromagnetic battlespace and to derive its tenets from real-world cases. Secondly, the paper elaborates on the combined CEMA in the context of multidomain operations. Thirdly, the paper designs a CEMA model and illustrates it using views typical of enterprise architecture. Finally, the paper tests the feasibility of the abducted model with operational scenarios. The CEMA model is intended for Cyber and EW operational planners and orchestrators as a foundation for CEMA operations. The findings of this research provide insights and explanations to planners and researchers of operational art that: CEMA is always a part of multi-domain
operations because of its omnipresence CEMA, being a composition of many abilities, needs collaborative
planning and orchestration of execution, both in defensive and offensive operations Interrelationships among
CEMA, information operations, and kinetic operations need to be understood to assess the combined systemof-
systems impact, Asymmetric operational thinking opens a spectrum of means and ways to effect in a
multidomain battlefield, Rapidly evolving technology opens both vulnerabilities and avenues of effect for
defensive and offensive operations, and Advanced digital force will dominate a force with commercial or dualuse
technologies in modern multi-domain operations.