Specter — Continuous Passive Intelligence
The thread that never stops.
Classification
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Persistent passive collection |
| Target | SENSE → DECIDE → ACT (all stages) |
| Effect | None — Specter does not alter the target’s state |
| Phases | All (A through F, continuously) |
| Hardening Viability | Tier 0–3 — always viable while target emits |
Definition
Specter is continuous passive intelligence collection. Unlike Mirage, Fracture, Override, and Sever — which change the target’s state — Specter observes without affecting.
Specter is not synonymous with Phase A or Phase B. Those are events in a timeline. Specter is a persistent operational state:
- Before engagement: Detects, classifies, and tracks (supporting Phases A-C)
- During engagement: Monitors the target’s response to countermeasures in real time
- After engagement: Confirms outcome, detects recovery or adaptation
- Between engagements: Maintains environmental awareness
Techniques
Passive RF Fingerprinting
Monitor the electromagnetic spectrum across autonomous platform bands without transmitting.
| Parameter | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Center frequency | Band and likely protocol |
| Bandwidth | Narrowband telemetry vs. wideband video |
| Modulation type | FSK, OFDM, FHSS — narrows platform family |
| Hopping pattern | FHSS sequence identifies protocol |
| Duty cycle | Continuous vs. burst patterns |
| Power level | Range estimation, platform size |
Protocol Decoding
For unencrypted protocols (MAVLink without signing, many proprietary RC links), decode the data layer to extract platform identity, status, position, and mission parameters.
Sensor Enumeration
| Observable | Inference |
|---|---|
| Position hold behavior | GPS receiver present and trusted |
| Altitude hold precision | Barometric altimeter present |
| Obstacle avoidance | Forward/downward sensors present |
| Stable hover in wind | IMU + compass quality |
SENSE → DECIDE → ACT Loop Enumeration
Map the complete loop by observing behavior under varying conditions: what does it sense, how does it decide, how does it act? This feeds Phase D with behavioral intelligence that may not be available from firmware analysis alone.
Specter as Engagement Feedback
During Phase E, Specter closes the observation loop:
| Countermeasure | Specter Observable |
|---|---|
| GPS spoof → redirect | Telemetry shows position shift toward spoofed coordinates |
| Command injection → force land | Telemetry shows descent rate change |
| Resource exhaustion → battery drain | Telemetry shows voltage drop rate |
Without Specter during engagement, the operator has no feedback. Specter tells you whether it’s working.