Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM)

The Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) program, under Air Force Program Element PE 0207407F, is focused on developing advanced capabilities for electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). The primary objective of EMBM is to provide the Air Force with enhanced situational awareness, decision support, and command and control (C2) tools for the electromagnetic spectrum, all linked by common architectures, standards, and data. This capability is designed to enable the planning, coordination, and synchronization of EMSO across the full range of military operations, supporting both current and future operational needs.

The EMBM program is structured around five core component capabilities: electromagnetic spectrum situational awareness (SA), EMS planning and decision support, non-kinetic command and control, spectrum deconfliction, and a training interface. These components are integrated through a unified system architecture, allowing the Combined/Joint Force Air Component Commander to prioritize, integrate, synchronize, and deconflict non-kinetic operations in support of joint and combined missions. The system is intended to feed Air Force data into the joint EMBM-J platform at the Combatant Command (COCOM) level, ensuring interoperability and data sharing across services.

EMBM System Integration is a key line item. The goal is to pull together multiple contributing systems into a cohesive and effective single interface, integrating EMSO with other military operations. This integration effort includes developing the transport protocol for USAF EMBM data to the EMBM-J platform, ensuring seamless connectivity and interoperability. The system integration will also focus on combining capabilities for managing, protecting, exploiting, and attacking through the electromagnetic spectrum, leveraging advanced software and robust meshed communications networking.

Architecture Demonstration is another significant line item. This effort involves modeling and simulation activities to evaluate and select the best government off-the-shelf (GOTS) programs necessary to execute the five EMBM components. The demonstrations will establish minimum viable system requirements and metrics for the Early Operational Capability (EOC) prototype and guide future system iterations. These activities are critical for setting operational standards and measuring system performance as it receives, analyzes, displays, and securely distributes EMS information.

System Program Office Development is focused on building an Electronic Warfare (EW) System Program Office from the ground up, as no such office currently exists within the Air Force. The new office will be responsible for managing the lifecycle execution of EMBM and other parallel EW programs, ensuring sustained development, integration, and operational support. Initial efforts will focus on ramping up the office to support the sprint to Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and subsequent program milestones.

Program Management Administration (PMA) provides acquisition program office manpower, contract support, and other expenses necessary for effective program management. PMA activities include government costs, travel, contractor services, and advisory and assistance services to shepherd ongoing EOC developmental efforts and maintain program oversight.

The EMBM program's goals and objectives are centered on delivering a unified, interoperable, and operationally effective electromagnetic battle management capability for the Air Force. The program is advancing through system development and demonstration phases, with a target to reach Emergent Operational Capability status by the end of calendar year 2027. The acquisition strategy leverages both government organic capabilities and collaborative initiatives with industry and academia, utilizing Other Transactional Authorities to expedite technology development and prototyping. These efforts are driven by the increasing importance of EMSO in modern warfare and the need for integrated, data-driven solutions to manage the electromagnetic spectrum in contested environments.