Military airbases face a rising number of electronic warfare attacks, making airfield lighting protection critical.
Today’s security landscape is shaped by growing instability and evolving threats, with a persistent risk of attacks targeting military infrastructure. This includes military airbases, where critical systems must be safeguarded against both physical and cyber threats—and their protection should remain a top operational priority.
But what exactly happens when an airfield lighting system faces an attack such as electronic warfare?
Electronic warfare (EW), a tactic used by military forces worldwide, targets communication and radar systems by disrupting the electromagnetic spectrum. One of the most common forms of EW is radio jamming, a deliberate attempt to interfere with wireless communication by overwhelming it with noise or false signals.
Jamming can disable command and control systems, limit coordination during operations, and paralyze key infrastructure—such as airfield lighting.
When EW jamming is deployed, it disrupts or blocks radio signals. This can cause:
For a military airfield, this could mean grounding operations, delaying missions, or increasing vulnerability during critical movements.
S4GA’s airfield lighting system is specifically designed to address these risks, even in hostile environments.
The system uses encrypted communication between lights and the control devices, incorporating AES-256 encryption, HTTPS, and TLS 1.3 protocols. If an adversary intercepts the signal, they cannot decode or manipulate it. This ensures that even if someone tries to barge in, the connection remains protected. Additionally, the system features built-in IDS/IPS with automatic failover, further strengthening resilience against intrusion or signal disruption.
If radio communication is completely blocked, S4GA airfield lighting remains under control. Each lamp is equipped with a manual ON/OFF button, enabling field personnel to activate and control the lighting independently of the network status. To activate all airfield lights, simply press the button on the nearest unit — the rest will turn on automatically.
S4GA wireless control system ensures resilience in contested electromagnetic environments.
The combination of an encrypted radio signal and manual override provides redundancy that’s crucial in challenging settings. In line with NATO’s electromagnetic warfare policy, S4GA systems are designed to operate effectively in contested electromagnetic environments. Compliance with NIST and ISO 27001 cybersecurity standards reinforces its readiness for deployment in demanding military environments.
Jamming is a growing concern in modern warfare, where electronic tools are often
used before physical weapons. For expeditionary forces and forward airbases, having airfield lighting that can resist electronic warfare is a major strategic advantage.
S4GA offers more than just airfield lighting; it provides a fail-safe solution that supports mission success, even when electronic warfare threatens to disrupt operations and ground flights.
For more information, please contact us through S4GA’s official channels.
