Assessment Methodology for the Effectiveness of Radio Emission Direction-Finding Systems

The article highlights the complexity of selecting direction-finding systems for radio emission sources in the process of building a situational awareness system under the conditions of modern warfare. A thorough analysis of current research and publications relevant to the topic has been conducted. A methodology for evaluating direction-finding systems is proposed and described. This methodology is based on a simplified Analytic Hierarchy Process and is adapted for practical use in expert decision-making environments. The approach includes determining weight coefficients through pairwise comparison of evaluation criteria, considering the context of specific expert environments. The selection of criteria is grounded in the key functional differences between various direction-finding systems, as well as their performance in terms of operational-technical characteristics, service-related parameters, and maintenance requirements. Only those criteria that are typically present in publicly available product descriptions provided by manufacturers for general reference have been included in the evaluation model. Each criterion is formalized through clear evaluation principles, which allow for the direct conversion of a given technical parameter into a score-based rating. A detailed algorithm for performing calculations with the participation of subject matter experts is presented. The proposed methodology can serve as a component of a multi-level assessment system for the efficiency of electronic support measures. It also has practical application for automating the selection process of technical solutions during the deployment of electronic intelligence assets within the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Furthermore, it is argued that a logical next step in the development of a comprehensive multi-level evaluation framework for electronic support measures would be the execution of laboratory-based research to verify the declared and actual characteristics of specific electronic support systems. This would significantly enhance the reliability of system selection processes and contribute to the operational readiness of defense technologies in real-world conditions.