The future battlefield is evolving into a digital, cyber-physical realm where combat in the radio spectrum will play a pivotal role. While fiber-optic networks will become essential for secure communication, mobile radio systems remain indispensable for frontline operations.
Command posts at the company- or battalion-level will still depend on mobile radio links to communicate with troops beyond the reach of fiber connections. Commercial mobile networks, including repurposed cell sites and decommissioned television infrastructure, will be integrated into NATO’s radio combat system, serving a dual purpose for civilian and military communications.
Electromagnetic warfare will dominate this battle of the spectrum, leveraging radio-frequency (RF) signals to monitor and disrupt enemy actions. Artificial intelligence (AI) -enhanced surveillance, jamming and deception technologies will deliver real-time situational awareness and countermeasures, ensuring operational superiority.
Radio Equipment and Technological Convergence
Military radio equipment encompasses a wide range of devices, including field communication stations, radars, satellite receivers, and electromagnetic warfare (EW) systems. Any device transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals—from megahertz to gigahertz frequencies—is integral to modern warfare. Traditionally, these systems operated as isolated units, but the convergence of radio frequency technologies is redefining their functionality.
Software-defined radios (SDRs) are leading this convergence, transforming hardware-dependent systems into versatile tools programmed via software and firmware. The same device can now perform tasks ranging from communication to reconnaissance, as long as its antennas and RF components are compatible. Cognitive field radios, for instance, conduct spectral analysis not only to improve network efficiency but also to counteract interference dynamically.
Future battlefield radios will function as part of a unified NATO radio combat system. This system-of-systems will consolidate previously distinct national and service-specific systems—command communications, radar, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare—into a single, massive network. Civilian infrastructure, such as mobile networks, air traffic control systems, and telecommunications satellites, will be integrated into this overarching framework.
Multi-Platform and Multi-Domain Operations
Multi-Domain Operations (MDOs) represent a paradigm shift, synchronizing military efforts across land, sea, air, space, and cyber environments. The electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly viewed as a distinct operational domain, critical for success in other environments. Future combat will require dominance over the spectrum to disrupt enemy communications while maintaining situational awareness.
At the tactical level, radio technology convergence enhances multifunctionality. Modern military radios can perform diverse roles—from spectrum analysis to electronic jamming—depending on operational needs. Advanced systems will enable in-band full-duplex operation, allowing simultaneous transmission and reception within the same frequency band. This capability will become standard in the next generation of software-defined radios.
NATO’s Spectral Forces
The concept of “spectral forces” reflects the integration of radio systems into NATO’s broader defense strategy. These forces will safeguard the member states’ sovereignty over the electromagnetic spectrum, much like land, air, and naval forces protect their physical domains. Supported by dense fiber networks and advanced AI-driven cloud computing, NATO’s spectral forces will rely on autonomous radio equipment for rapid decision-making. However, ethical considerations will always rest with human operators.
The Future of Spectrum Warfare
The convergence of radio frequency systems and the rise of multifunctional military radios signal a new era in electromagnetic operations within multi-domain operations. NATO’s unified radio combat system will blur the lines between civilian and military infrastructure, creating a seamless network for real-time coordination and defense. On tomorrow’s battlefield, technological convergence will ensure not only dominance over the spectrum but also the operational flexibility needed to adapt to rapidly changing scenarios.
D.Sc. (Tech.) Taneli Riihonen is an associate professor and a research group leader at Tampere University, specializing in radio systems and wireless communication. His work includes leading NATO research projects and winning the European Defence Agency’s Innovation Prize in 2020.
This article was previously published in Finnish in the Signals Officers’ Association’s publication Viestimies.
