Military Technology
LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35A with external GBU-31, 2,000 lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) in flight
Stealth Crucial or Overrated? Stealth is essentially a combination of several technologies, all of which combine to greatly reduce the distances at which an aircraft can be detected by the enemy
Photograph: Lockheed Martin
By Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd) In the recent decades, the world has invested heavily in terms of time and energy on stealth technology in an endeavour to delay detection of military airborne platforms by the adversary. Most new platforms are designed by incorporating some level of ‘stealth’ technology at the initial design stage itself. Even existing jet fighters are, at times, are modified to reduce their signature. Creating a stealthy design comes at a price in terms of aerodynamic and other design compromises, long period to perfect the design or high cost of development. Some stealth features require special maintenance. Specific aircraft shapes may also limit weapon and fuel carriage capability or may not be the best for flight efficiency. Any drop tank or weapon load carried externally, increases the radar cross section (RCS). Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the first operational aircraft specifically designed with
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stealth technology. Other current stealth aircraft include the B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Chengdu J-20, Shenyang FC-31 and Sukhoi Su-57. While air forces and designers concentrate on stealth features, they are also evolving counters to beat the stealth effect. Passive IR sensors, multi-static radars, very low frequency radars and over-the-horizon radars are being designed. Stealth Technology Stealth is essentially a combination of several technologies all of which together greatly reduce the distances at which an aircraft can be detected. It involves reduction of RCS, acoustic signature, thermal imprint and other aspects. The term ‘Stealth’ became popular when the F-117 stealth fighter was deployed in the Gulf War in 1991.
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