Which term describes the practice of detecting and identifying electromagnetic emissions to locate the threat source?

• A. Electronic Support (ES)
• B. Electronic Attack (EA)
• C. Electronic Protection (EP)
• D. Electronic Warfare Targeting

Answer: (A)

Detecting and identifying electromagnetic emissions to locate the threat source is Electronic Support. This part of electronic warfare is all about passive sensing and intelligence gathering—monitoring radiated signals, identifying emitter type, and using that information to determine where the threat is coming from. It provides warning and situational awareness, helping decision-makers protect forces or plan responses. It differs from Electronic Attack, which actively uses EM energy to degrade or disrupt enemy systems, and from Electronic Protection, which focuses on shielding our own systems from EM effects. A term like Electronic Warfare Targeting isn’t the standard label for this activity; targeting would be based on ES-derived data, not the primary function itself.