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Definition
Stealth means 'low observable'. The very basic idea of Stealth Technology
in the military is to 'blend' in with the background. The quest for a stealthy
plane actually began more than 50 years ago during World War II when RADAR was
first used as an early warning system against fleets of bombers. As a result of
that quest, the Stealth Technology evolved. Stealth Technology is used in the
construction of mobile military systems such as aircrafts and ships to significantly
reduce their detection by enemy, primarily by an enemy RADAR. The way most airplane
identification works is by constantly bombarding airspace with a RADAR signal.
When
a plane flies into the path of the RADAR, a signal bounces back to a sensor that
determines the size and location of the plane. Other methods focus on measuring
acoustic (sound) disturbances, visual contact, and infrared (heat) signatures.
Stealth technologies work by reducing or eliminating these telltale signals. Panels
on planes are angled so that radar is scattered and no signal returns. Planes
are also covered in a layer of absorbent materials that reduce any other signature
the plane might leave. Shape also has a lot to do with the `invisibility' of stealth
planes. Extreme aerodynamics keeps air turbulence to a minimum and cut down on
flying noise. Special low-noise engines are contained inside the body of the plane.
Hot fumes are then capable of being mixed with cool air before leaving the plane.
This fools heat sensors on the ground. This also keeps heat seeking missiles from
getting any sort of a lock on their targets. Stealth
properties give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated
defenses and threaten its most valued and heavily defended targets. At a cost
of $2 billion each, stealth bombers are not yet available worldwide, but military
forces around the world will soon begin to attempt to mimic some of the key features
of stealth planes, making the skies much more dangerous. HISTORY
OF STEALTH AIRCRAFT With the increasing use of early warning detection
devices such as radar by militaries around the world in the 1930's the United
States began to research and develop aircraft that would be undetectable to radar
detection systems. The first documented stealth prototype was built out of two
layers of plywood glued together with a core of glue and sawdust. This prototype's
surface was coated with charcoal to absorb radar signals from being reflected
back to the source, which is how radar detection systems detect items in the air.
Jack Northrop built a flying wing in the 1940's. His plane was the first wave
of stealth aircraft that actually flew. The aircraft proved to be highly unstable
and hard to fly due to design flaws. The United States initially orders 170 of
these aircraft from Northrop but cancelled the order after finding that the plane
had stability Flaws. Then in 1964, SR-71 the first Stealth airplane launched.
It is well known as 'black bird'. It is a jet black bomber with slanted surfaces.
This aircraft was built to fly high and fast to be able to bypass radar by its
altitude and speed. HOW DOES STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
WORK? The idea is for the radar antenna to send out a burst of radio energy,
which is then reflected back by any object it happens to encounter. The radar
antenna measures the time it takes for the reflection to arrive, and with that
information can tell how far away the object is. The metal body of an airplane
is very good at reflecting radar signals, and this makes it easy to find and track
airplanes with radar equipment. The goal of stealth technology is to make
an airplane invisible to radar. There are two different ways to create invisibility:
The airplane can be shaped so that any radar signals it reflects are reflected
away from the radar equipment. The airplane can be covered in materials that absorb
radar signals.
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