What advantage does frequency modulation (FM) provide in military communications?

Frequency modulation (FM) is particularly advantageous in military communications primarily because it exhibits greater resistance to noise compared to amplitude modulation (AM). This characteristic is crucial in military operations, where maintaining clear and reliable communication is essential, especially in noisy environments or in the presence of electronic interference.

FM's ability to resist noise stems from the way it encodes information. In FM, information is conveyed through variations in frequency rather than amplitude. Since many types of noise tend to affect amplitude, FM signals remain more stable and less susceptible to distortions that could impair communication clarity. This feature is significant for transmitting voice or data in combat scenarios or during operations where clarity is paramount.

Furthermore, using FM allows military communications to maintain a higher signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring that the intended message can be received accurately even in challenging conditions. This resistance to noise effectively enhances operational effectiveness by ensuring that communication lines remain intact even in tumultuous environments.