In the Star Trek universe, starships like the Defiant and Voyager use advanced deception technologies like holographic decoys and cloaking devices to mislead enemies.
Similarly, Chinese defense researchers have created a system that enables a warship to appear as a fleet of “ghosts” on radar through coordinated electronic jamming.
In a recent development in electronic warfare, Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deception system that could significantly change naval combat dynamics.
The technology relies on small, low-cost electronic jamming devices to enable a single warship to appear as an entire fleet on enemy radar.
This breakthrough, developed by the Beijing Research Institute of Telemetry, was described in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of Systems Engineering and Electronics and reported first by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Ghost Navy tech on warships
The system works by deploying four coordinated electronic jammers that emit fake radar signals, effectively creating “ghost” ships.
These signals can trick advanced radar systems into thinking there are several ships instead of just one.
In combat simulations, this trick has worked well against radar-guided anti-ship missiles. The missiles locked onto the fake targets while the real ship stayed hidden.
Unlike traditional radar decoys, which require expensive equipment and struggle to replicate the electromagnetic signature of modern warships, this new approach uses simpler hardware and smarter coordination.
The jammers use a 1-bit signal processor, a minimalist electronic chip that records only whether a radar wave crosses a certain voltage threshold.
Although basic, this method allows for rapid response and real-time adaptation to the changing electromagnetic environment of the battlefield.
The researchers said cost and agility were central to the system’s design.
Traditional decoys are costly and operationally rigid; they simulate fixed ship profiles and cannot respond dynamically to changing enemy tactics.
These 1-bit jammers use special algorithms to work together and adjust their settings quickly. This enables them to create changing radar images that look like moving fleets.
Jammer tech
The main part of the system is its ability to manage several jammers at the same time.
The devices can generate highly realistic interference patterns when linked, creating the illusion of several warships spread across a wide area.
According to the researchers, these coordinated arrays can reshape the electromagnetic landscape of the battlefield, a capability they describe as “electromagnetic environment sculpting,” the SCMP reported.
This level of deception gives a big tactical advantage. Enemy forces waste resources tracking false signals and may not find real military assets.
Additionally, militaries can use more flexible and scalable solutions since they don’t have to depend as much on expensive, complex radar decoys.
However, the researchers pointed out some limitations. Their current findings come from digital simulations, not real missile tests.
They also admit that the simplicity of the 1-bit system might leave it vulnerable to countermeasures, especially from networked missile systems capable of cross-checking radar data.
Nonetheless, they believe that integrating artificial intelligence and further refinements in signal coordination could improve the system’s robustness.
As they continue to develop the platform, the next step will be live field testing and integration with existing naval systems.
This new Chinese system marks a significant evolution in radar deception tactics.
Using small, low-cost, and rapidly adaptable jammers, China is moving toward a future where electronic illusion becomes as critical as physical firepower in naval warfare.
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