Russian forces have found a cost-effective way to counter US precision weapons in Ukraine, using electronic warfare to disrupt their guidance systems. This has resulted in repeated failures of US weapons, including the latest instance of a rapidly developed and deployed precision-guided weapon.
According to a Pentagon official, the weapon, which was sent to Ukraine with limited testing, failed to hit Russian targets due to electronic interference and complications from ground launch. This is not an isolated incident, as other US precision-guided weapons, such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and Joint Direct Attack Munitions, have also been foiled by Russian electronic warfare.
The use of electronic warfare has become a prominent feature on the Ukrainian battlefield, with both sides employing it to jam GPS-guided weapons and signal-driven systems like drones. The Russians have adapted their electronic warfare systems to counter US weapons, reducing their efficiency significantly. For example, the GPS-guided Excalibur artillery shells initially had a 70% success rate but declined to 6% after six weeks as the Russians adapted their countermeasures.
US defense officials acknowledge the challenge posed by Russian electronic warfare and are working on solutions and countermeasures. However, the rapid development and deployment of new weapons without adequate testing and operational evaluation have contributed to their failure in combat.
The Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb, which Ukraine began using in February, is suspected to be the weapon that failed. This bomb relies on GPS and an internal system to lock onto its target, making it vulnerable to electronic interference.
The repeated failures of US precision-guided weapons highlight the need for more robust testing and evaluation before deploying new systems in combat. Additionally, the development of countermeasures to Russian electronic warfare is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of US weapons in Ukraine.
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