Low Observable Principles, Stealth Aircraft and Anti-Stealth Technologies

TLDR

Stealth or low‑observable technology has become ubiquitous in modern military aircraft, reducing radar detection range but never eliminating it, and its implementation imposes design constraints and costs. Stealth aircraft incur higher development, flyaway, and maintenance costs, and face operational limitations due to shape, material, internal weapon carriage, and increased radar signature from external stores.

Abstract

During the last decades, stealth technology has proven to be one of the most effective approaches as far as the endeavor to hide from radar systems is concerned. Especially for military aircraft, “stealth” or “low observable” technology has become ubiquitous: all new aircraft types are designed taking into account low observable principles and techniques, while existing jet fighters are considered for modification in order to reduce their radar signature. Low radar signature for a target means that it is detected and tracked at a shorter distance from a radar. However, low observable does not mean no observable, i.e., complete disappearance from the radar screens. Furthermore, stealthiness comes at a price. Apart from the development cost, stealth aircraft have higher flyaway cost and important maintenance costs, while they have significant operational limitations due to the specific aircraft shape imposed and materials used, and also due to the limited fuel and weapons, which have to be carried internally. Any pylon, tank, missile or pod carried externally increases the radar signature.