July 29, 2007:
The United States has ordered
hundreds of additional wearable CREW (counter radio-controlled IED electronic
warfare) jammers. Earlier this year, the U.S. ordered 10,000 of the new CREW
jammers (for defeating roadside bombs). CREW is a further development of the
first jammer, the Warlock, which appeared in 2003. Warlock is currently the
most common jammer in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Warlock has gone through many
revisions, to add more frequencies and better software.
Rolling along in a convoy, with one or more jammers
broadcasting, the troops have an electronic "bubble" that made them safe from
any wireless IED they had not spotted. It's not uncommon for vehicles to have
had an IED go off behind them, the result of the IED detonation crew continuing
to send the signal, believing that there might be something wrong with their
equipment. In those cases, the patrol often turns around and goes looking for
the enemy team.
In addition to jammers like CREW and Warlock,
several of the U.S. Air Force and Navy electronic warfare aircraft are able to
perform the same functions, but over a wider area. This was often used when
American troops were in action against the enemy, shutting down IED detonation
over the entire combat area, as U.S. troops moved around seeking out and
fighting the enemy.
One problem with the jamming was that it kills cell
phone operation, as well as use of many other remote electronic devices Iraqi
civilians in the area might be trying to use. The Iraqis complain to each
other, but asking the U.S. troops to shut it off would be futile, so they
don't.
The CREW jammer has lots of new features, most of
which are secret. Terrorist groups have tried to find ways around the jammer,
but have been unsuccessful. Most roadside bombs are now set off via a wire
connection between the detonator and a nearby guy pressing a button. This has
caused more terrorist casualties, and generally made it more difficult for the
bombers. The big improvement in CREW is that it is easier to add new
frequencies, and the jammer interferes less with other military communications
and sensors. CREW is also lighter, and a hundred or so lightweight CREW jammers
were sent to Iraq last year, for testing. These proved very popular with troops
who did a lot of their patrolling on foot. It's become increasingly common for
troops to make long movements on foot, to conduct raids or just patrol. The
enemy has lookouts who are on the alert for U.S. vehicles, not dismounted
American infantry sneaking up on them.