When introduced in 1988 with the unveiling of the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk fighter, stealth proved to be a game changing technology that turned the clock back for the erstwhile Soviet Union, which had nearly caught up with the West in military aviation technology. Stealth succeeded decisively because it proved expensive to emulate and difficult to counter for US adversaries. What does the future portend for stealth?
Stealth Overview
Stealth or Low Observability (LO), in aircraft is achieved by impairing an adversary's ability to detect the aircraft. Aerial threats can be detected using active sensors such as radars or passive electro optical, IR and electronic sensors. Because of its accuracy and effectiveness under all ambient conditions, radar is the preferred sensor. Therefore, stealth focuses heavily on eluding radar detection.
Radar Stealth
Electromagnetic radiation from a radar scatters from bodies smaller than the wavelength of the radiation. Some of the scattered radiation is reflected right back to the transmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx) of the radar resulting in a 'radar signature.' Radar stealth is achieved through airframe shaping that deflects (bounces off) radiation, instead of scattering it.
The effectiveness of the stealth shaping depends on the wavelength at which the radar is operating. If target size is greater than the radar wavelength, emissions are mostly deflected (bounced off); very little radiation is reflected back to the Tx/Rs resulting in a low 'radar signature'.
Shaping features, good at 3 cm radar wavelength are ineffective at 1 m wavelength; the radiation is scattered over a wide range of angles.
Tactical fighter-sized stealth aircraft such as the F-22 or F-35 are shaped to deflect wavelengths ranging from decimetre S-Band through centimetre X-band to sub-centimetre Ku-band; the band range in which most surveillance radars, acquisition radars, surface-to-air missile engagement radars, fighter-borne air intercept radars, and missile radar seekers operate.
This story is from the June 2017 edition of Geopolitics.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2017 edition of Geopolitics.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India's space economy set to soar
India's burgeoning space economy could see a substantial increase in its global share by 2040. At present, India's space sector contributes a modest $8 billion to the overall cake. However, the government has set its sights on an ambitious target, aiming for a five-fold surge in India's share of the global space economy.
CRITICAL NEED TO BOOST CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINE FLEET
VENUGOPAL MENON explains why India cannot afford to view the critical deficiency in Submarine force levels lightly
BEEFING UP OUR SUBMARINE FLEET
In the last week of March, the Indian Navy displayed its submarine prowess. Eight of its submarines operated together in the Western Indian Ocean Region, a first in three decades, and one of its Scorpene submarines sailed to the Andaman Nicobar Islands, overlooking the Malacca Strait, a critical choke point for China. But how is the comparison with China? RITU SHARMA reports
ENHANCING CRUISE MISSILE CAPABILITY
India’s cruise missile capability has largely evolved as a credible conventional level deterrence since the turn of the new millennium. But much more needs to be done, writes AMARTYA SINHA
BOOSTING DEFENCE EXPORTS
Earlier, India was known to be an arms importer. But today, the country has come out of its comfort zone and found a place in the list of top-25 arms exporter nations argues AMARTYA SINHA
ENHANCING INDIA'S AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITIES
Project NETRA represents a proactive initiative by ISRO to safeguard India's interests in space by mitigating the risks posed by space debris and other hazards, says GIRISH LINGANNA
THE HIMALAYAN TRIANGLE: WHY INDIA KEEPS BHUTAN SAFE FROM CHINA
India, given its special relationship with Bhutan, has been very wary about the possibility of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the signing of a boundary agreement between Bhutan and China, writes SIMRAN SODHI
TROOST, DESAI AND SANCTIONS
The Western sanctions against companies and individuals doing business with Russia have produced a complex set of reactions with lobbyists and shell companies working overtime to beat the rap. A GEOPOLITICS Bureau report
THE KOREA-GATE
India attaches great importance to “three principles of inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity’” for creating the basis for working more closely with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific such as the Republic of Korea (ROK), better known as South Korea for “a free, peaceful and prosperous region”. Prakash Nanda dissects the relationship and the way ahead
Pushpak RLV-TD successfully lands autonomously
ISRO achieved another significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful landing of Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, autonomously on the runway.
