Definition

Noun: * A form of electronic warfare: "Simulative electronic deception" refers to a specific military tactic. It involves the deliberate transmission, radiation, or reflection of electromagnetic energy. The purpose is to create false electronic signals or patterns that mimic friendly, real, or notional (theoretical) military assets, capabilities, or intentions. The goal is to mislead hostile forces' sensors, intelligence, and command systems, causing them to misinterpret the situation.

Usage

• Military and Defense Context: This term is used almost exclusively in professional military, defense, and electronic warfare (EW) discussions. It describes a technical, planned operation.
  • The success of the mission relied on sophisticated simulative electronic deception to make a single squadron appear as a full air wing on enemy radar.
  • Electronic warfare units are trained in both manipulative and simulative electronic deception techniques.

Advanced Usage

• Distinction from Related Terms: It is often contrasted with "manipulative electronic deception." While simulative deception adds false signals to the environment, manipulative deception alters genuine friendly signals.
  • The joint exercise tested simulative electronic deception (creating ghost convoys) alongside manipulative deception (altering GPS signals of real units).

Variants and Related Words

• Electronic Deception (ED): The broader category of military actions involving the manipulation of the electromagnetic spectrum to deceive. "Simulative electronic deception" is a key subset of ED.
• Imitative Electronic Deception: A near-synonym sometimes used interchangeably, emphasizing the act of imitating real electronic signatures.
• Electronic Warfare (EW): The overarching military action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Deception is one of the core pillars of EW, alongside attack, and protection.
• Spoofing: A more general technical term for deceiving a system by falsifying data. Radar spoofing or communication spoofing can be methods used to achieve simulative electronic deception.

Synonyms

• Electronic Mimicry: (Descriptive) The act of electronically imitating friendly forces.
• Imitative EW Deception: (Technical) A synonymous phrase used in some doctrine.

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs/Idioms)

• Ghost Signals: A descriptive term for the false radar or radio returns created by simulative deception.
• False Electronic Order of Battle: The intended result of successful simulative deception; the false picture of friendly force composition and location presented to the enemy.
• Dummy Emissions: The specific electronic transmissions used to carry out the deception.

Noun

1. actions to represent friendly notional or actual capabilities to mislead hostile forces