# Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
**Entity class:** Joint operational framework
**Aliases:** EMSO
## Definition
**Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations** coordinates military activities that use, exploit, manage, protect, or attack the electromagnetic spectrum. It integrates spectrum management with [[wiki/Electronic Warfare|electronic warfare]] so forces can sense, communicate, navigate, and act in contested electromagnetic environments.
## Relationships
- **component:** [[wiki/Electronic Warfare|Electronic Warfare]].
- **related integration:** [[wiki/Cyber-Electromagnetic Activities|Cyber-Electromagnetic Activities]].
- **professional venue:** [[wiki/AOC International Symposium and Convention|AOC International Symposium and Convention]].
- **collection:** [[collections/Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the Intelligence Environment|Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the Intelligence Environment]].
## Sources / Provenance
- [Association of Old Crows — annual symposium](https://crows.org/events/annual-convention-symposium/)
## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts
> "Spectrum Management: Develop capabilities that fuse and correlate battlefield information from a variety of sources and display it in an accurate and shared common operational picture."
> **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest*
[[reminders/Information/Spectrum Management Should Fuse Battlefield Information Into a Common Picture by USSOCOM|Spectrum Management Should Fuse Battlefield Information Into a Common Picture by USSOCOM]]
> "Electronic Warfare - Electromagnetic Support (ES): High bandwidth, fast tuning, high dynamic range with ultra-low receiver technologies that search, intercept, identify, and locate intentional and unintentional electromagnetic energy for the purpose of threat recognition, targeting, planning, and conduct of future operations."
> **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest*
[[reminders/Surveillance/Electronic Support Should Find Threat Emissions for Recognition and Targeting by USSOCOM|Electronic Support Should Find Threat Emissions for Recognition and Targeting by USSOCOM]]
> "ISR - Tactical RF Signal Classification: Small devices capable of scanning RF spectrum and reporting classifications of signals found, along with signal related information."
> **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest*
[[reminders/Surveillance/Small Devices Can Classify Tactical Radio-Frequency Signals by USSOCOM|Small Devices Can Classify Tactical Radio-Frequency Signals by USSOCOM]]