CHINESE SCIENTISTS DEVELOP TUNABLE STEALTH MATERIAL THAT CAN HIDE SHIPS FROM RADAR

[cirr]

CHINESE SCIENTISTS DEVELOP TUNABLE STEALTH MATERIAL THAT CAN HIDE SHIPS FROM RADAR

By John Casaretto — November 13, 2015



Researchers from China have reportedly turned out a new type of stealth material that is far more advanced than anything out there today. Published in the Journal of Applied Physics, the technology behind it is called “active frequency selecting surface” (AFSS), and it is described as an ultra-thin multi-layered material that is only 7.8mm thick. The technical details of this material are impressive.

The first 7mm of the composite is a honeycomb substrate that supports the outer layers and separates them from the metal outer surface of the craft to which it is applied. Next comes a copper-and-semiconductor AFSS layer that runs 0.04mm thick, and this leads to an outer layer called FR4. FR4 is a material used in printed circuit boards which is able to variably tune itself to absorb a wide band of radio frequencies.

Due to its utility and physical properties, it is possible to use the material on many different types of craft, including drones, fighter jets, satellites, and more. It appears that this technology will make its way over to Chinese jets and ships, making them harder to detect.

This new material is designed to defeat microwave radar at the UHF band level. With its thin profile, this type of material is applicable to fighter jets, defeating a practical limitation found in previous materials.

Stealth technology, and radar evasion in aircraft technology, have been part of a longstanding cat-and-mouse game between the major military powers extending over many years. From the earliest days of high altitude craft, to the ultra-sophisticated materials that are placed on craft today, the goal is to be invisible to the tools of detection. Stealth aircraft materials are designed to break up and change the normal way in which radar waves bounce of a craft’s surfaces. In time, radar detection equipment has become increasingly fine-tuned in order to counteract these stealth techniques. Today, detection technology uses ultra-high frequencies (UHF), which have enabled higher resolution than ever before.

This development has certainly not been lost on the U.S. military, as this represents China’s next move in the ongoing stealth race. Its emergence from a research group that was founded on a government grant has caused some concern over the brazen development of technologies that can be applied to the military.

Chinese scientists produce new tunable stealth material | Digital Trends

 

[cirr]

Chinese Researchers Develop Material to Make Jets Stealthier than Ever

The new material is roughly ten times thinner than previous radar-absorbing substances, making it viable in fighter jet and ship construction.

By Jay Bennett

Nov 12, 2015 @ 3:35 PM

In a paper published in the Journal of Applied Physics yesterday, Chinese scientists from Huazhong University of Science and Technology detail the development of a new material that could be used to construct fighter jets capable of thwarting even the most advanced radar technology.

Other materials that can absorb microwave radar signals in ultrahigh frequencies (UHF) are too thick to use in fighter jet construction. But lead researcher of the paper, Wenhua Xu, says the new material is almost ten times thinner than anything else available. The material could be used in a variety of military aircraft and ships, but it is particularly interesting for its potential application in fighter jets.

The most advanced microwave radars broadcast signals at UHF that bounce off objects like aircraft. The returning microwave signals are detected by antenna arrays, allowing radar technicians to detect objects even if they are obscured by clouds. Anti-radar materials absorb some of those signals, making a large object appear smaller than it is. But current stealth technologies employed in aircraft like the F-35 fighter jet are not particularly effective against UHF signals. The newly developed material might be.

Huazhong University's material is composed of various layers and can be "tuned" to absorb a wide range of microwave frequencies. A metal slab sits on top of a layer of thin metal honeycomb, and under that is an "active frequency selective surface material" made of a .04 mm layer of copper resistors and capacitors. Underneath allthat is a circuit board with semi-conducting diodes and more capacitors.

The components and structure of the new material are openly published in detail, suggesting that China is not attempting to covertly develop a new stealth fighter jet. However, if the material is as effective as advertised, it does indicate a significant advance in China's stealth technology, considered one of the most important aspects of modern warfare.

Chinese Researchers Develop Material to Make Jets Stealthier than Ever

 

[DoTell]

Cool, I suppose... ?

Breakthrough technologies as such, if true, could give the country who invented them huge advantage. Why the heck do they publish it??? I'm no expert in this field. But the only reason for them to publish these findings is that this thing is still a theory, a possibility that is far, far from being a reality.

 

[oproh]

Another headache for obama and a reason for american officials to cry

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

Even Yahoo news seem to report it.
Chinese scientists develop tunable stealth material that can hide ships from radar - Yahoo Finance

 

[Daniel808]

That's cool. Another Achievement by Chinese Scientist

For J-XX Project Bomber?

 

[Rangila]

Cool, I suppose... ?

Why the heck do they publish it??? I'm no expert in this field. .

Such steps are mandatory to get International patent.

One of the requirement is filing the International patent, and doing the International patent search, thereafter you must publish your contents at 18th month.. Normally it takes 2 and half years to get International patent.

 

[TaiShang]

Nice application of technology for the purpose of ensuring global peace and national security.