All stealth aircraft use technologies that include special fuselage shapes, coatings, materials, and more. All this allows the aircraft to be invisible to enemy radars. The development of the technology began during World War II and has been going on for over fifty years.
How to achieve stealth
A combination of different methods is used to achieve stealth. This prevents radar waves from bouncing off the aircraft and returning to the radiation source. The most difficult way is to use the continuous curvature effect. Most stealth aircraft surfaces are rounded and have a variable radius of curvature. Thus, the beams from the radar diverge in all directions, and not towards the signal source. Such designs have no right angles.
In order to calculate the radius of curvature and the scatter of radar beams that it will provide at any point in three-dimensional space, enormous computing power is required.
The first aircraft built using this technology is the B-2 bomber. It is also known as the Flying Wing. Since the development of computer and software technology has been rapid over the past 20 years, the shapes of structures can now be calculated with great accuracy. At the same time, the program will take into account the aircraft's radar reflection coefficient, suggesting more successful aerodynamic shapes.
Sawtooth corners
Stealth aircraft should have a low drag area. This cross-section provides low lateral visibility. Paints and materials as well as the "W" shape help achieve this effect. Elements of this shape are present in many structural parts of stealth aircraft.
Engine nozzles
Reducing the cross section of the nozzles is also very important. This problem is compounded by high temperatures that affect parts. One of the possible approaches is the use of ceramic materials. They can either be in the form of light sheets installed in place of conventional nozzle elements, or heavy construction materials that create uneven edges.
Cockpit
The helmeted pilot's head is one of the main sources of the radar signal. This effect is enhanced by internal bulkheads and frame elements. The solution to the problem is to design a cockpit that would conform to the principle of radar stealth. The glass is then covered with a film to control the internal temperature. The material requirements are very strict. The samples should absorb 85 percent of the thermal energy and reflect all signals.
Conclusion
The reduction in infrared radiation caused by exhaust from engines and other parts of the aircraft must also be taken into account in the design. However, not all ghost planes are completely invisible to radars. Even the best aircraft can be detected with low frequency radar.