// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Unconventional Warfare
A type of warfare where one country supports a local resistance movement or insurgency to fight against their government or an occupying power. It uses indirect methods like guerrilla warfare and subversion rather than conventional, head-on military conflict.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Unconventional Warfare (UW) is a broad spectrum of military and paramilitary operations, often conducted by Special Operations Forces, to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power. Key activities include subversion, sabotage, intelligence operations, and guerrilla warfare executed by, with, and through indigenous forces.
BACKGROUND
Unconventional warfare (UW) is broadly defined as "military and quasi-military operations other than conventional warfare" and may use covert forces or actions such as subversion, diversion, sabotage, espionage, biowarfare, sanctions, propaganda or guerrilla warfare. This is typically done to avoid escalation into conventional warfare as well as international conventions.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- irregular warfare
- guerrilla warfare
- political warfare
- subversion
- insurgency support
- resistance operations
USAGE NOTE
This term specifically refers to enabling an indigenous force, distinguishing it from direct action missions conducted solely by a foreign military.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Unconventional Warfare.
Develops data integration and analysis platforms like Gotham, which are used by special operations forces and intelligence agencies to fuse disparate intelligence sources (HUMINT, SIGINT, GEOINT) into a common operating picture, crucial for planning and executing unconventional warfare missions.
A leading provider of secure tactical communications equipment, including man-pack and handheld radios used by special operations forces. Their technology ensures secure, low-probability-of-intercept communications, which is vital for command and control in denied or hostile environments.
Develops AI-powered autonomous systems for defense. Their Lattice OS platform integrates sensors and unmanned systems (like the Ghost UAS) to provide persistent surveillance and reconnaissance, enabling small, distributed teams to monitor large areas in unconventional warfare scenarios.
Specializes in Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) technology through its Wave Relay® products. This technology creates self-forming, self-healing communication networks, allowing unconventional warfare teams to maintain connectivity for data, video, and voice in environments without traditional infrastructure.
Focuses on developing artificial intelligence pilots for aircraft. Their Hivemind AI enables teams of unmanned aircraft to operate autonomously in high-threat, GPS-denied environments, performing reconnaissance and other tasks essential for unconventional warfare operations without risking pilots.
Provides technology and expertise in signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), and cyber operations. Their systems are used to detect, locate, and disrupt enemy communications and command structures, a key component of unconventional warfare.
Designs and produces advanced thermal imaging and sensor systems. They develop man-portable and unmanned systems, like the Black Hornet nano-UAV, that provide covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities critical for teams operating discreetly in unconventional conflicts.