§500f Evaluations of Abilities of Armed Forces and Combatant Commands to Perform Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Missions

Summary

By October 1, 2024, and every year through 2029, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of Space Operations must each check how well their force can carry out electromagnetic spectrum operations called for by the Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy, the Joint Staff concept of operations for those missions, and combatant command plans. Each check must look at current and future programs (for example, weapon systems in contested electromagnetic environments, attacks that can disrupt enemies, needs for networked electronic warfare and signals intelligence, and needs for AI/ML tools), order of battle, individual and unit training, tactics (like maneuver, spreading assets, decoys, and mixing non‑kinetic and kinetic fires), and other relevant items. Each chief must certify to the congressional defense committees by December 31 of those years that the check was done. By the same dates, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, through the operational lead for Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, must evaluate combatant commands’ plans and readiness to carry out the strategy and concept of operations. That review must cover plans, joint EMSO cell staffing and organization, exercises and mission rehearsals, and force posture and readiness. The Chairman, through the operational lead, must brief the congressional defense committees on the results by December 31 of those years.