Stealth technology

Stealth technology, invented by aSoviet Russian electrical engineer and mathematical physicist Pyotr Ufimtsev, makes an aircraft or ship difficult or impossible to detect by radar or other electronic detection systems. American engineers developed this new technology in the 1970s and several types of aircraft have been constructed using it. This minimizes the ability of enemies to shoot down the aircraft and capture or kill the pilots. Their radiation-absorbent material (RAM) coatings need to be reapplied every few missions, which takes large amounts of manpower and time. Once the coatings are gone, the planes are visible to radars.

Stealth technology makes use of the following approaches:

• Reduction in radar cross-section (RCS) through clever shapes, anti-radar electronic signalling, radar-absorbing paint and non-metallic materials

• Reduced visibility

• Reduced acoustics

• Hidden engines

• Reduced radiofrequency (RF) emissions

See also

• F-117 Nighthawk
• F-22 Raptor
• B-21 Raider