Modern military deception units, often grouped under Military Deception (MILDEC) operations, are specialized in crafting elaborate strategies to mislead enemy forces, both in conventional and cyber warfare. They use various techniques, including psychological operations (PSYOPs), electronic warfare, cyber deception, and misinformation campaigns to achieve their objectives. Here’s more about these units:

1. Psychological Operations (PSYOPs)

• Objective: Influence the beliefs, emotions, and decision-making of enemy forces, civilians, or even allies.
• Methods: Includes propaganda, leaflet drops, broadcasting misinformation, and using social media or other communication channels to spread false information or create confusion.
• Modern Techniques: With social media and internet access, PSYOPs can now reach broader audiences faster than ever before. They can manipulate public perception or enemy morale by using online platforms, memes, and bot-driven campaigns.

2. Cyber Deception

• Objective: To confuse, disrupt, or mislead enemy forces by creating false digital environments, targets, or vulnerabilities.
• Methods: Techniques include setting up fake servers, bogus data trails, honeypots (fake systems that lure attackers), and cyber espionage. These operations are primarily conducted by organizations like U.S. Cyber Command, which handles the defense and offense in cyberspace.
• Modern Focus: Cyber deception is crucial in modern warfare because many critical operations, including military communications, rely on digital infrastructure. By targeting these systems, cyber forces can trick adversaries into making tactical mistakes or reveal sensitive information.

3. Electronic Warfare (EW)

• Objective: Control or disrupt the electromagnetic spectrum (radio, radar, GPS) to confuse enemy communications and targeting systems.
• Methods: This can involve jamming enemy radar, misleading sensors, or creating false signals. An example is radar spoofing, where false targets are displayed on enemy screens, leading them to misdirect their forces.
• Modern Examples: Drones, unmanned vehicles, and satellite systems are often incorporated into electronic warfare, helping to create distractions or simulate threats that don't exist in reality.

4. Special Operations and Special Units

• Certain Special Operations Forces (SOF), like the U.S. Army Special Forces, also engage in deception. These units use tactics like camouflage, ambushes, and diversionary tactics to mislead enemies in ground operations.
• Special Air Service (SAS) and Navy SEALs are also known to engage in deception during missions, including laying false tracks, setting up fake equipment, or using sophisticated decoys to confuse enemy forces.

5. Space and Cyber Command

• With the rise of Space Force and Cyber Command, modern warfare also deals with deception in the space and cyber domains. The Space Force, for example, is critical in managing satellite communications, GPS systems, and missile defense. These systems can be tampered with to mislead enemies about troop movements, airstrikes, or surveillance activities.

6. Modern Usage

• Russia, China, and other major military powers are also known to conduct large-scale military deception as part of their strategies, particularly in cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns. The rise of deepfakes, AI-driven disinformation, and digital manipulation tools have made deception even more potent in today’s world.

These groups have evolved from the original Ghost Army concept into highly sophisticated units, employing everything from digital trickery to psychological manipulation to achieve strategic goals.