In recent history, the US has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability not merely to wage wars, but also to introduce innovations that surprise everyone: adversaries as well as observers and analysts. Each major campaign, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and others, has introduced a new operational concept, particularly in the realm of air power and network-centric warfare. Similarly, in its recent operation in Venezuela, the most striking development was the reported employment of advanced electronic warfare (EW) tools, including electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects allegedly directed at humans in Caracas. This development marks a significant evolution in coercive air power capabilities, blurring the line between kinetic and non-kinetic force, and therefore deserves closer examination.

During the last couple of decades, EW has emerged as an important enabler for the offensive employment of air power. Through electronic surveillance, mostly conducted during peacetime, it maps the adversary’s air defence and communication networks, known as the electronic order of battle (EOB). Electronic Attack (EA) assets form an essential part of an offensive air power package. By electronically interfering with adversary surveillance and tracking radars and communication systems, a process known as Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), they create an enabling environment for kinetic operations ahead of an offensive package. EA can also employ anti-radiation........

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