Topic 18 EMCON/SATVUL
Enabling Objectives
18.1 DEFINE Emission Control including the advantages, disadvantages and planning
considerations for emitter use.
18.2 DEFINE the requirements of the EMCON Bill and EMCON status cards.
18.3 DISCUSS shipboard EMCON organization including EMCON Control Center,
Intermediate Control Stations, and Equipment Control Stations.
18.4 DEFINE SATVUL to include prediction programs and Charlie elements.
Emission Control
Definition: Selective control of the use of electromagnetic, acoustic, or other emitters
to optimize C2 capabilities while minimizing:
1. detection by enemy sensors
2. mutual interference among friendly systems
3. compromise of a MILDEC plan.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Emitter Use
Advantages
Can deny the enemy the ability to detect and engage friendly forces
Can delay or disrupt the enemy’s preparations
Restricting radiation reduces friendly EMI
Disadvantages
Loss of detection information
Reduced readiness
Safety and Navigation factors
Planning Considerations for Emitter Use
Vulnerability of the emitter to adversary collection capabilities
Countering SATVUL may be different than countering shore HFDF
collection sites
Current adversary information about friendly forces
If reason to believe SG has been detected, the risks of long-range cuing
from sonar or radar may be less important
Activity timing
EMCON may be most beneficial leading up to operations
EMISSION CONTROL Bill
Implements EMCON changes with optimal speed and efficiency
Outlines appropriate shipboard emitter status
Establishes EMCON Control Center
Designates Intermediate Control Stations (ICS) and Equipment Control Stations (ECS)
Designates individual responsibility for each shipboard emitter
Provides procedures for:
Intraship reporting
Verification of emitter status
Monitoring of own ship’s emitter status
Sample Shipboard EMCON Organization Chart
Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Tactical Actions Officer
CIC Watch Officer
EMCON Control Center
Weapons
Office
Tel:
LAMPS
Det
Tel:
EW/SSES
ET Shop
Tel:
CIC
Tel:
SONAR
Tel:
Bridge
Tel:
Radio
Central
Tel:
Fire CNTRL
Room 1
Tel:
RADAR
Room 1
Tel:
IFF Room
Tel:
SONAR
Equip. Room
Tel:
Signal
Bridge
Tel:
Equipment
Space
Tel:
Fire CNTRL
Room 1
Tel:
TACAN
Room
Tel:
Equipment
Operator
Tel:
Director
Control
Tel:
UHF
Room 1
Tel:
UHF/VHF/
HF Room 2
Tel:
Intermediate
Control Stations
Equipment
Control Stations
EMCON Control Center (ECC)
Intermediate Control Stations
Weapons
Office
Tel:
LAMPS
Det
Tel:
ET Shop
Tel:
CIC
Tel:
SONAR
Tel:
Bridge
Tel:
Radio
Central
Tel:
Control over or primary responsibility for operating groups of radiating equipment
Set EMCON as directed by ECC
Maintain an EMCON status board
Relay EMCON orders to ECSs under their control
Report when EMCON is set
Authorize activation of any radiating equipment (with permission of ECC)
Inform ECC of any violations
Equipment Control Stations
Fire CNTRL
Room 1
Tel:
Fire CNTRL
Room 1
Tel:
Director
Control
Tel:
RADAR
Room 1
Tel:
TACAN
Room
Tel:
UHF
Room 1
Tel:
UHF/VHF/
HF Room 2
Tel:
IFF Room
Tel:
SONAR
Signal
Equip. Room Bridge
Tel:
Tel:
Equipment
Space
Tel:
Equipment
Operator
Tel:
Contain electromagnetic or acoustic equipment, or a control unit for such equipment
Change the radiation status of emitters to comply with EMCON orders
Set equipment to comply with ordered EMCON condition and report such to ICS
Update EMCON status card
Inform ICS of any violations
EMCON STATUS CARD
EQUIPMENT:___________________ LINE NUMBER_____________________________
AFTER SETTING EMCON, REPORT TO: __________________PHONE: _____________
CURRENT EMCON CONDITION: _____________________________________________
CURRENT EQUIPMENT STATUS: ____________________________________________
PERSON SETTING EMCON: ________________________________________________
DATE AND TIME EMCON SET: ______________________________________________
EMCON
CONDITION
ALPHA
ALPHA ONE
BRAVO
CHARLIE
ACTION
REQUIRED
UNCLASSIFIED (CONFIDENTIAL WHEN COMPLETED)
DELTA
Satellite Vulnerability
Ship’s emissions may radiate in all directions
Vulnerable to detection by space-based sensors
SATVUL is designed to mitigate this vulnerability
Sample Charlie Element Message Key
11111.2222222.3333333.44444.5555555.6666666.7777777.8888888.999999.AAB
11111.2222222.3333333.44444.5555555.6666666.7777777.8888888.999999.AAB
11111.2222222.3333333.44444.5555555.6666666.7777777.8888888.999999.AAB
Field 1: Space Control Center (SCC) Number
Field 2: Mean Anomaly
Field 3: Mean Motion
Field 4: Decay Coefficient
Field 5: Eccentricity
Field 6: Argument of Perigee
Field 7: Longitude of Ascending Node
Field 8: Inclination
Field 9: Epoch
Field 10: No longer used
Field 11: Checksum