China’s electronic warfare (EW) force successfully tricked a foreign spy plane during a South China Sea operation, a Chinese military magazine recently revealed.
In the incident, a false radar signature generated by a Chinese military vehicle-mounted jamming system deceived a surveillance aircraft from an unspecified country over the South China Sea, Ordnance Industry Science Technology reported in its September issue.
It was a rare public mention of a combat operation situation and outcome involving China’s EW force. Ordnance Industry Science Technology is regarded as an influential magazine focused on military technology.
The report did not elaborate on the time, location or circumstances. But it cited official data saying the EW system was capable of simulating radar signals such as those of a super-large vessel from up to 300km (186 miles) away.
The report hinted that the foreign spy plane might have been misled to travel towards a wrong location or tracked a non-existent aircraft carrier or amphibious landing ship.
Loaded on small jeep-sized vehicles, the Chinese system was showcased in the electronic countermeasures formation during the large-scale military parade held in Beijing on September 3, the report stated. The name of the platform remains classified.
