China says it can now make a single warship appear as an entire fleet on enemy radars.
According to Chinese media, researchers at the Beijing Research Institute of Telemetry have developed a radar decoy system that floods enemy sensors with false signals, creating a so-called “ghost fleet.”
The goal: to confuse adversaries, hide the real ship’s location, and make targeting far more difficult in future conflicts.
The tactic could also force opposing forces to waste expensive weapons and time chasing fake targets.
Chinese media said the tech has been tested in simulations, where radar-guided anti-ship missiles locked onto fake signals while the actual vessel stayed safe and hidden.
The researchers refer to the approach as “electromagnetic environment sculpting.”
Focusing on Cost and Agility
Unlike modern radar decoys that use costly components, China’s tech reportedly utilizes simpler hardware combined with advanced signal processing to achieve the same deception effect.
At its core is a 1-bit signal processor, a minimalist chip that detects and responds to radar waves based on whether they cross a certain voltage threshold.
While the technique isn’t new, it allows the system to quickly adapt to shifting electromagnetic conditions without sacrificing cost or agility.
Special algorithms built into the processor also enable it to generate changing radar signatures that resemble a moving fleet.
“These efforts will ensure our absolute advantage in electronic warfare,” team lead Hu Jijun told the South China Morning Post.
A Major Challenge
Despite performing well in simulations, the research team noted that the system’s 1-bit processing may also introduce vulnerabilities.
It could be exposed to countermeasures, particularly from networked missile systems capable of cross-checking radar data.
To address this, the team plans to integrate artificial intelligence into the system to improve its resilience and adaptability.
