Electromagnetic Manoeuvre: Towards a Theoretical Underpinning

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery warned that losing the war in the air would cost the war itself. Over the best part of a century, airpower has defined conflict. The failure to win and sustain air superiority and supremacy makes victory at best difficult, and at worst impossible. The need to secure Electromagnetic Superiority and Supremacy (E2S) will have a similar effect on the wars of tomorrow. Forces failing to win and hold E2S while denying the spectrum to their adversaries will find victory elusive. E2S is achieved by applying manoeuvre warfare principles to the electromagnetic spectrum. Manoeuvre warfare is not new, but it can teach us about E2S. We will ask how applicable manoeuvre warfare theory is to Electromagnetic Support Operations? How can it guide us and where must we exercise caution? This webinar will define E2S. It will explain its centrality to contemporary and future battles. It will summarise the tenets of manoeuvre warfare theory and discuss their applicability to E2S. Above all, it will seek to articulate a theoretical framework for E2S manoeuvre.