Resiliency by Retrograded Communication- The Revival of Shortwave as a Military Communication Channel

TL;DR

This paper explores reviving shortwave high frequency (HF) communication as a resilient military channel, emphasizing retrograding to enhance survivability against electronic warfare disruptions.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of retrograding HF communication to improve military resilience in electronic warfare environments, contrasting with modern reliance on vulnerable satellite and VHF/UHF channels.

Findings

HF spectrum offers different propagation advantages.

Retrograding can sustain communication during EW attacks.

Shortwave can complement existing military communication systems.

Abstract

In the last three decades, the great powers have become increasingly dependent on satellite communication (SATCOM), very high frequency (VHF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) providing high bandwidth line of sight (LOS) communications. These military communication channels lack resilience because an EW campaign can affect both VHF and SATCOM simultaneously. The 1940s preferred spectrum, high frequency (HF), with its different propagation patterns, offers an opportunity for military communication resiliency in the 21st century. The concept of retrograding could give an operational advantage and create the ability to sustain communication in electronic warfare (EW) saturated environment.