The first one is the horten ho 229 invented during WWII for more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229
2007-03-09 16:44:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
The Go-229 wasn't a bomber. It was designed as a fighter/interceptor.
However, there was one WW2 bomber that had some radar-evading characteristics-the Mosquito. Due to its all-wood construction. However, countermeasures during WW2 through Vietnam relied on Chaff and jamming, rather than the design of the aircraft itself.
The YB-40 flying wing was noted to be difficult to track during testing. Later, engineers figured out that the design was deflecting radar energy away from the transmitting antenna (which is the 101 version of how "Stealth" works.)
It is true that Northrop engineers studied the Go229, as well as the data from the YB-40 program in designing the B2.
2007-03-10 07:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by jim 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Highly unlikely that the two gaping air intakes at front was part of "stealth", a word not yet invented in those days. Besides the high top speed implies that it expects to be detected and wants to attempt to outrun pursuers.
It looks more like an efficient lifting body with minimal parasite drag. Besides, the high wavelength radars of that days might have even detected the F-117 or the the B-2.
So the Go-229 was no "stealth".
2007-03-10 00:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting, but if you read the article, it does state that they are unsure if it was for stealth or lack of other raw materials for the wings to be wood.
I personnaly don't think they knew that much about RADAR in WWII to attempt anything like that. It certainly wouldn't be hidden, with all the other metal parts on it, including the bombs. Even the older RADAR on the C130 can skin paint a fairly small object.
2007-03-09 17:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that the Horten craft was stealthy was the result of the flying wing configuration. It was not designed for low observability. The flying was thought to be the answer to long range through flight efficiency. The fact that it was also stealthy was an surprise to the designers as was the Northrup flying wing of the 1940s.
2007-03-10 23:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by ericbryce2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've actually heard that the Government actually had the stealth bomber being used undercover 20 years before the public knew about it.
2007-03-09 16:48:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, didnt know that. thats pretty interesting. thanks for the info!
2007-03-09 16:48:32 · answer #6 · answered by FoxHound 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋