Electronic Warfare in Vietnam: Did We Learn Our Lessons?

• Main Author: Dickson, John R
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; COMBAT FORCES; Countermeasures; ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES; ELECTRONIC WARFARE; ELECTRONICS; FLIGHT; FLIGHT CREWS; MILITARY AIRCRAFT; MILITARY COMMANDERS; OFFICER PERSONNEL; PROTECTION; SIMULATORS; THESES; THREATS; TOUCH; VIETNAM; WEAPONS

The air war over North Vietnam is reviewed with emphasis on the electronic warfare (EW) aspects of the air campaign. The North Vietnamese air defense system is described along with the electronic countermeasures (ECM) used by American aircrews to neutralize these weapons. An analysis of the EW operations reveals that the U.S. did not provide adequate electronic protection for its aircrafts, did not have adequate EW and did not train their commanders, staff officers and aircrews to use EW as a combat multiplier. To determine wheather these deficiencies have been corrected, the opinions and perceptions of 33 former commanders and operations officers of flying units were surveyed. The results of this survey reveal that the U.S. has not provided complete ECM protection for its combat aircraft. Most flying units have an extensive set of EW tactics, which may practice often. Crews are adequately trained in the principles of EW but most commanders feel they need a realistic threat simulator for routine training and evaluation of tactics.