The division of EW that involves actions tasked by an operational commander to locate sources of electromagnetic energy is defined as which of the following?

The division of electronic warfare that is concerned with actions directed by an operational commander to identify and locate sources of electromagnetic energy is known as Electronic Warfare Support, commonly abbreviated as ES. This category of EW focuses on gathering information about enemy electromagnetic emissions to enhance situational awareness and provide actionable intelligence. The primary goal of EW Support is to detect, intercept, and analyze electromagnetic signals in order to understand the capabilities and intentions of adversaries.

While Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and Communication Intelligence (COMINT) all fall under broader categories of intelligence gathering, they do not specifically encapsulate the operational actions of locating sources of electromagnetic energy as described in the question. SIGINT encompasses a wider range of interception of signals, which includes both communications and non-communication signals. ELINT refers specifically to the collection and analysis of electronic emissions from radar and other systems, but it does not directly engage in the operational tasks assigned by a commander like ES does. COMINT is focused solely on gathering intelligence from communications, such as voice or data transmissions, and therefore, does not encapsulate the broader task of locating electromagnetic sources as effectively as Electronic Warfare Support.

In summary, Electronic Warfare Support is specifically designed for operational commanders to effectively locate and exploit electromagnetic