2007-03-15 22:29:01 · 6 answers · asked by LEGENDARY Hero 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Stealth planes like the F 117-A have two major defenses against radar detection: (1) the plane's radar-absorbent surface, and (2) the plane's shape.
The bodies of stealth planes, such as the F 117-A and the B-2, are mainly composed of composite material specifically designed to absorb radio energy with optimum efficiency. Parts of the plane, such as the leading edge, are also covered in radio-absorbent paint and tape.
The stealth bomber's peculiar shape, on the other hand, deflects radio beams. The large, tilted flat areas on the top and bottom of the plane deflect most radio beams, in the same way tilted mirrors deflect light.
2007-03-15 22:43:37 · answer #1 · answered by DJ Lex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radar works by sending out a beam of radio waves and then detecting the reflection sent back from anything it hits.
The trick is to design the shape of a stealth aircraft so that the beam is not reflected back towards the originating installation, but off somewhere else. It also helps if you can use materials which absorb, rather than reflect radio frequencies used for radar.
When the technology was first reported, the story was that the radar signature of a stealth plane was about the same as that of a large duck or goose.
It is amazing technology, although there was always a vague suspicion that a Vee-formation of geese flying towards Moscow at Mach 2 might have raised a certain amount of interest in some circles.
2007-03-16 05:45:25 · answer #2 · answered by lunchtime_browser 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with DJ Lex but one point is missing. The paint and the shape are made to absorb/deflect a range of radar frequency with higher or lower efficiency so the radar image becomes as small as possible. In war in Yougoslavia (in 1999) one (F-117A) was caught on radar and shot down! So they are not invisible to all radar frequencies but are very hard to spot and distinguish as an airplane.
2007-03-17 04:19:07 · answer #3 · answered by nikivuk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this kind off stealth plane is speciallyy designed to this
1 - a speciall painting wish reduce the bouncing of radar waves
2 - the plane body is shaped in a way to scatter this waves away so they won't return to the radar so if no returned waves to the radar it will show that there is nothing
I hope I helped
2007-03-16 12:00:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A special paint and no right angles on the plane.
2007-03-16 05:36:32 · answer #5 · answered by Iron What? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the angled surfaces scatter radar transmisions instead of bouncing them directly back to the receiver.
2007-03-16 05:37:33 · answer #6 · answered by eks_spurt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋