Defense Spectrum Organization

The Emerging Spectrum Technology (EST) program researches emerging spectrum-related technologies and evaluates applicability to improve future warfighter EM spectrum utilization. The EST improves EM spectrum utilization through technology innovation, investigating emerging technologies, and evaluating applicability. The goal of the EST program is to identify opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies in the early stages of development, influence technology development to maximize DoD spectrum utilization, and to ensure spectrum policies incorporate optimal technology to meet DoD mission requirements. There is an increased focus on Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) capabilities. DSA is realized through wireless networking architectures and technologies to enable wireless devices to adapt spectrum access according to specific criteria. These specific criteria include policy constraints, spectrum availability, and application performance requirements. Additionally, in FY 2026, this program absorbs activities formerly executed under the DoD E3 Program, which support the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development Systems (JCIDS) and other DoD acquisition processes to ensure E3 control and spectrum supportability engineering, analysis, compatibility assessments inform the development, testing, and procurement of IT/NSS. This program also supports the development of the Joint Ordnance E3 Risk Assessment Database (JOERAD) and Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) electromagnetic environmental effects surveys for DoD. • JOERAD provides real-time risk assessments to evaluate safety and identify equipment limitations in the operational EM environment, enabling operators to make critical decisions about hazards within the EM environments. Additionally, program managers and capability developers perform Spectrum Supportability Risk Assessments (SSRA) on all programs acquiring or incorporating spectrum-dependent systems or equipment (per DoDI 4650.1). These assessments review regulatory, technical, and operational spectrum and E3 risks and mitigations. • HERO conducts EM field strength measurements of spectrum-dependent systems, platforms, and facilities located or installed where ordnance (artillery) is stored, transported, handled, and/or loaded. These surveys provide specific HERO mitigation guidance, such as power and frequency management, emission control, safe-separation distances, and operational restrictions to ensure ordnance safety while minimizing impacts to mission operational effectiveness.

The EMBM-J capability supports the DoD Electronic Warfare (EW) Strategy objective of fielding advanced EMBM capabilities. It also supports the DoD Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy goal of increasing agility of DoD EMS operations by developing capabilities to preform near-real-time EMS operations (EMSO). EMBM-J capabilities: • Extract and analyze information from multiple sources across security levels. • Enable situational understanding of the Electromagnetic Operating Environment (EMOE). • Display the EMOE browser-based desktop environment and identify impacts of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). • Enable a suite of tools that provide Situational Awareness (SA), Decision Support (DS), Command and Control (C2), and training. • Provide near real-time integration and display of foundational data and processed EMS feeds. These expanded capabilities are useful for Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) to access information from other related operational systems that provide a long-term solution for operational EMS planning, execution, and assessment capabilities.

Activities associated with the DoD E3 Program are absorbed by the Strategic Planning and Engineering Program in FY 2026. The DoD E3 Program supports the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development Systems (JCIDS) and other DoD acquisition processes to ensure E3 control and spectrum supportability engineering, analysis, compatibility assessments inform the development, testing, and procurement of IT/NSS. The E3 Program also supports the development of the Joint Ordnance E3 Risk Assessment Database (JOERAD) and Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) electromagnetic environmental effects surveys for DoD. • JOERAD provides real-time risk assessments to evaluate safety and identify equipment limitations in the operational EM environment, enabling operators to make critical decisions about hazards within the EM environments. Additionally, program managers and capability developers perform Spectrum Supportability Risk Assessments (SSRA) on all programs acquiring or incorporating spectrum-dependent systems or equipment (per DoDI 4650.1). These assessments review regulatory, technical, and operational spectrum and E3 risks and mitigations. • HERO conducts EM field strength measurements of spectrum-dependent systems, platforms, and facilities located or installed where ordnance (artillery) is stored, transported, handled, and/or loaded. These surveys provide specific HERO mitigation guidance, such as power and frequency management, emission control, safe-separation distances, and operational restrictions to ensure ordnance safety while minimizing impacts to mission operational effectiveness.

GEMSIS delivers a portfolio of spectrum management software capabilities that: • Provide business process execution. • Provide situational awareness of friendly spectrum usage. • Deconflict competing the mission requirements for spectrum use. • Provide DoD and mission partners with direct online access to comprehensive, relevant, and trusted spectrum data.