Why ranges use mobile fake threats

Introduction

Mobile threat simulators are one of the most practical outcomes of studying and reverse engineering foreign military technology. Instead of placing rare captured radars, missile systems or other sensitive equipment on a training range, operators build transportable systems that reproduce the signatures and behaviours that pilots, air-defence crews and electronic-warfare operators actually need to encounter. The result is a repeatable training environment that can be moved between locations, updated as threats evolve and instrumented for detailed performance assessment.[Dote]dote.osd.milWarfighter TrainingThe HPRTS and PRTS are ruggedized, deployable, ground-based, open-loop radio frequency threat radar simulators. Th…

On modern live training ranges, realism depends less on possessing an authentic foreign weapon than on recreating what friendly sensors and crews perceive. Mobile simulators therefore focus on radar emissions, tracking behaviour, engagement sequences, infrared signatures and other observable characteristics. This approach allows range operators to present realistic threat environments repeatedly without risking scarce foreign equipment or revealing sensitive intelligence-derived artefacts.[Georgia Tech Research Institute]gtri.gatech.eduadvanced radar threat system helps aircrews train evade enemy missilesGeorgia Tech Research InstituteAdvanced Radar Threat System Helps Aircrews Train to…18 Sept 2023 — The Advanced Radar Threat System Va…

Why ranges use mobile fake threats

Training ranges face a practical challenge: real foreign systems are scarce, expensive to maintain and often unsuitable for constant deployment. Even when a military possesses captured equipment, keeping it operational may require unique spare parts, specialist knowledge and strict security controls.

Mobile simulators solve these problems by separating training value from physical authenticity. Instead of recreating every component of an air-defence system, they reproduce the elements that affect aircraft and crews. A pilot’s radar warning receiver, for example, must react to realistic search, tracking and engagement emissions. If those cues are reproduced accurately, the training objective can often be achieved without the actual foreign radar being present.[Leonardo DRS]leonardodrs.comLeonardo DRSElectronic Warfare (EW) Threat SimulatorsEW Threat Simulators prepare combat pilots for missile threats. Our EW threat simula…

The mobility aspect is equally important. A simulator mounted on trailers, light vehicles or transportable shelters can be repositioned rapidly across a range, creating different threat layouts for successive exercises. This prevents crews from memorising fixed locations and encourages realistic tactical decision-making.[Eviden]eviden.comThe Eviden-developed ARPEGE surface-to-air RADAR…Based on Mobile Radar Threat Simulator (MRTS) solutions, the ARPEGE radar threa…

Rugged systems built for repeated exercises

Live ranges demand equipment that can survive frequent transport, harsh weather and continuous operation. As a result, modern mobile threat simulators are designed more like field-deployable military equipment than laboratory instruments.

The United States Department of Defense describes systems such as the High-Power Range Threat Simulator (HPRTS) and Portable Range Threat Simulator (PRTS) as ruggedised, deployable, ground-based radio-frequency threat simulators capable of reproducing threat radar signals and simultaneous engagement scenarios. Their purpose is not merely demonstration but routine operational training and testing.[Dote]dote.osd.milWarfighter TrainingThe HPRTS and PRTS are ruggedized, deployable, ground-based, open-loop radio frequency threat radar simulators. Th…

Commercial and government-developed systems typically incorporate:

The emphasis on ruggedness reflects a simple reality: a range system may participate in hundreds of training events over its lifetime. Reliability and maintainability often matter more than perfect physical replication.

Mobile deployment as a training multiplier

Mobility allows a relatively small number of simulators to support many different units and locations. Historical US electronic-combat training programmes used mobile deployments specifically to bring threat environments to operational units rather than requiring every unit to travel to a dedicated range. Audit records from the Department of Defense noted the value of mobile simulator assets in creating temporary electronic-combat ranges for aircrew training.[U.S. Department of War]media.defense.govDepartment of WarDoD Management of Electronic Warfare Threat Simulators…March 9, 2015 — 15 Jul 1992 — At deployed sites, the. 87 EWAS…Published: March 9, 2015

This model remains attractive because it spreads scarce threat-replication resources across a larger force while reducing training bottlenecks.

Changing scenarios without moving real weapons

The greatest advantage of portable simulators is flexibility. A live range operator can alter an entire air-defence scenario through software and mission planning rather than through large-scale physical movement of equipment.

Modern systems can simulate different radar types, engagement doctrines and force structures. Operators can create the appearance of layered air-defence networks, overlapping radar coverage or coordinated missile engagements. The same hardware may represent several different threat systems across multiple exercises.[Sigma Defense]sigmadefense.comSigma DefenseRadar Threat SimulatorsSigma Defense delivers high-fidelity radar threat simulators, replicating adversary systems & RF envi…

A recent example is the ARPEGE surface-to-air radar threat simulation system used during NATO Tactical Leadership Programme training at Los Llanos Air Base in Spain. Based on Mobile Radar Threat Simulator technology, the system combines a command post with remote vehicles carrying radar signal generators and tracking antennas. Its architecture allows complex operational scenarios to be tailored to specific air-force training requirements.[eviden.com]eviden.comThe Eviden-developed ARPEGE surface-to-air RADAR…Based on Mobile Radar Threat Simulator (MRTS) solutions, the ARPEGE radar threa…

The ability to update threat files is especially important in the context of reverse-engineered foreign technology. As intelligence agencies and technical exploitation programmes learn more about foreign radar modes, signal characteristics or engagement procedures, those discoveries can be incorporated into simulator software without redesigning the entire training infrastructure.[Sigma Defense]sigmadefense.comSigma DefenseRadar Threat SimulatorsSigma Defense delivers high-fidelity radar threat simulators, replicating adversary systems & RF envi…

Beyond radar-only simulation

Many modern systems have expanded beyond simple radar replication.

Some mobile training systems now combine:

• Radar threat simulation.[eviden.com]eviden.comThe Eviden-developed ARPEGE surface-to-air RADAR…Based on Mobile Radar Threat Simulator (MRTS) solutions, the ARPEGE radar threa… * Infrared missile-threat representation.[leonardodrs.com]leonardodrs.comLeonardo DRSElectronic Warfare (EW) Threat SimulatorsEW Threat Simulators prepare combat pilots for missile threats. Our EW threat simula… * Laser threat generation.[textronsystems.com]textronsystems.comHIGH-POWER PORTABLE RANGE THREAT SIMULATORTextron Systems Electronic Systems' HPRTS offers multispectral threat generation capability, in…
• Optical tracking.
• Integrated exercise recording and after-action review.[elbitsystems.com]elbitsystems.commobile threat simulatorElbit SystemsMobile Threat Simulator28 Aug 2025 — A system designed to create realistic, full-spectrum, multi-threat simulations of curre…

This broader approach reflects the increasingly multi-spectral nature of modern combat, where aircraft may face radar-guided missiles, infrared seekers and laser-guided systems during a single mission.

Limits of portable realism

Despite major advances, mobile simulators remain approximations rather than complete substitutes for authentic foreign systems.

One limitation is physical realism. A simulator can reproduce emissions and tactical behaviour, but it may not perfectly replicate every feature of an operational integrated air-defence system. Real networks include communication delays, operator decisions, maintenance issues and interactions among multiple sensors and weapons that are difficult to duplicate fully.[Georgia Tech Research Institute]gtri.gatech.eduadvanced radar threat system helps aircrews train evade enemy missilesGeorgia Tech Research InstituteAdvanced Radar Threat System Helps Aircrews Train to…18 Sept 2023 — The Advanced Radar Threat System Va…

Another challenge is keeping pace with evolving threats. Foreign radar systems are continually upgraded, meaning threat libraries and simulation models require constant revision. A simulator that accurately represented a threat several years ago may become less relevant if adversary systems adopt new waveforms, processing techniques or engagement methods.[Idéal Investisseur]ideal-investisseur.frIdéal InvestisseurEviden Deploys ARPEGE System in a NATO Exercise17 Feb 2026 — ARPEGE is developed from the Mobile Radar Threat Simulator…

There is also a trade-off between portability and fidelity. Smaller systems are easier to deploy and maintain, but they may not generate the same power levels, coverage areas or environmental complexity as larger fixed installations. Training organisations therefore often combine mobile simulators with permanent range infrastructure, laboratory testing and digital modelling to achieve the desired balance of realism and practicality.[Dote]dote.osd.milWarfighter TrainingThe HPRTS and PRTS are ruggedized, deployable, ground-based, open-loop radio frequency threat radar simulators. Th…

What mobile simulators contribute to foreign-technology exploitation

Within the broader effort to reverse engineer foreign military technology, mobile threat simulators act as a bridge between intelligence collection and operational readiness. Information extracted from foreign systems becomes usable training content rather than remaining confined to technical reports.

Their value lies in making threat knowledge portable, repeatable and measurable. A realistic threat can be presented to hundreds of crews, adjusted as intelligence changes and evaluated through detailed exercise data. For training ranges, that combination of mobility, adaptability and sustainability is often more useful than relying on a handful of authentic foreign systems that are difficult to operate and impossible to replace.[gatech.edu]gtri.gatech.eduadvanced radar threat system helps aircrews train evade enemy missilesGeorgia Tech Research InstituteAdvanced Radar Threat System Helps Aircrews Train to…18 Sept 2023 — The Advanced Radar Threat System Va…

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to Why ranges use mobile fake threats. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

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Introduction to Electronic Warfare Modeling

By David Adamy

Directly relates to threat simulators and training environments.

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Skunk Works

By Ben R. Rich, Leo Janos

Shows how defense systems are developed, tested, and evaluated.

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Boyd

By Robert Coram

Explains decision-making and realistic training concepts.

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Air Power

By Stephen Budiansky

Provides context for air-combat training and operational requirements.

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Endnotes

1. Source: leonardodrs.com
Link:https://www.leonardodrs.com/what-we-do/products-and-services/electronic-warfare-ew-threat-simulators/

2. Source: eviden.com
Link:https://eviden.com/insights/press-releases/the-eviden-developed-arpege-surface-to-air-radar-threat-simulation-system-deployed-during-a-nato-air-force-training-exercise/

3. Source: media.defense.gov
Link:https://media.defense.gov/1992/Jul/15/2001714601/-1/-1/1/92-125.pdf

Published: March 9, 2015

4. Source: youtube.com
Title: Joint Threat Emitter
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPztkg0kKAk

5. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cttjAKwq0RQ

6. Source: dote.osd.mil
Link:https://www.dote.osd.mil/About/Organization/CCM/Warfighter-Training/

7. Source: gtri.gatech.edu
Title: advanced radar threat system helps aircrews train evade enemy missiles
Link:https://www.gtri.gatech.edu/newsroom/advanced-radar-threat-system-helps-aircrews-train-evade-enemy-missiles

8. Source: dote.osd.mil
Link:https://www.dote.osd.mil/About/Organization/CCM/Survivability-Equipment/

9. Source: textronsystems.com
Link:https://www.textronsystems.com/products/portable-range-threat-simulators

10. Source: textronsystems.com
Link:https://www.textronsystems.com/sites/default/files/_[documents

11. Source: sigmadefense.com
Link:https://sigmadefense.com/capabilities/radar-threat-simulators/

12. Source: atos.net
Link:https://atos.net/en/2026/press-release_2026_02_17/the-eviden-developed-arpege-surface-to-air-radar-threat-simulation-system-deployed-during-a-nato-air-force-training-exercise

13. Source: ideal-investisseur.fr
Link:https://www.ideal-investisseur.fr/en/stock-news/eviden-deploys-arpege-system-in-a-nato-exercise/13974.html

14. Source: elbitsystems.com
Title: mobile threat simulator
Link:https://www.elbitsystems.com/air-space/training-simulation/embedded-virtual-training/mobile-threat-simulator

15. Source: textronsystems.com
Link:https://www.textronsystems.com/sites/default/files/_documents/TS_ES_HPRTS_datasheet.pdf

16. Source: uk.finance.yahoo.com
Title: MRTS is a scalable range
Link:https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/eviden-developed-arpege-surface-air-090000029.html

17. Source: cybertechnologyinsights.com
Title: eviden deploys arpege radar threat simulator at nato tactical training exercise
Link:https://cybertechnologyinsights.com/cybersecurity/cyber-defense/eviden-deploys-arpege-radar-threat-simulator-at-nato-tactical-training-exercise/

18. Source: ideal-investisseur.fr
Link:https://www.ideal-investisseur.fr/en/stock-news/eviden-deploys-arpege-system-during-nato-exercise/14015.html

19. Source: saab.com
Link:https://www.saab.com/products/live-training

20. Source: linkedin.com
Title: Bruno Milard’s Post
Link:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brunomilard_arpege-activity-7430245391864025088-26uq

21. Source: taborelec.com
Title: Radar Threat Simulator
Link:https://www.taborelec.com/Radar-Threat-Simulator

Additional References

22. Source: ci-systems.com
Link:https://www.ci-systems.com/Infrared-Threat-Simulators-%E2%80%93-Laser-based-%28IRTS-L%29

23. Source: ci-systems.com
Link:https://www.ci-systems.com/long-range-simulators

24. Source: emco-elektronik.de
Link:https://emco-elektronik.de/de/85-bedrohungssimulation-tss-threat-signal-simulator.html

25. Source: youtube.com
Title: Inside HAVELSAN’s Electronic Warfare Testing and Training Range (EWTTR)
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iusTWe5RsM

26. Source: youtube.com
Title: EW Threat Simulators for Air Combat Training by Leonardo DRS
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD7IGLoDai8

27. Source: apps.fcc.gov
Title: Get Att
Link:https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=318418&x=

28. Source: finanznachrichten.de
Title: Together, they
Link:https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2026-02/67716376-atos-international-the-eviden-developed-arpege-surface-to-air-radar-threat-simulation-system-deployed-during-a-nato-air-force-training-exercise-399.htm

29. Source: linkedin.com
Title: Avantix MRTS
Link:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/analoxgroup_another-day-at-the-world-defence-show-with-activity-7427364629757988864-VZUS

30. Source: youtube.com
Title: Advanced Radar Threat System Helps Aircrews Train to Evade Enemy Missiles
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNLGXpxWUg