Defence trials AI radiocomms deception technology

The Australian Army is trialling technology that generates fake radio communications in order to mislead adversaries and protect frontline personnel.

Known as TrapRadio, the system uses artificial intelligence to create synthetic radio traffic that mimics high-value communications or transmission patterns.

Its goal is to divert enemy attention and resources away from real operations by creating convincing communication decoys.

The deception technology mirrors techniques used in cyber security, where fake systems, data and applications are deployed to lure and distract threat actors.

Developed by British-Australian company Penten Amio, TrapRadio was recently tested during a large-scale international military exercise in California involving 140 Australian Defence Force personnel.

In a blog post on the exercise, Defence said the system has “the potential to reshape the battlefield.”

“TrapRadio supports Australian soldiers through force protection and also the ability to create a dilemma through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning,” said Captain Wayne Mulhall of Electronic Warfare – Army Headquarters.

“TrapRadio is able to generate a deception to support commanders, mimicking high-value targets, which creates a dilemma for adversary operators.”