August 26, 2002 at 9:14 pm
helo, i have just read an article on the usage of stealth tech and its effectiveness, but im not a real stealth expert, and im not sure if they date is correct. also. i would like to take this opertunity to ask a few questions abt stealth designs that i have always wonderd abt.
according to the article, the detection range for a fighter halves when its radar sig is reduced to 10% of its original. is that right? because if it is, then the stealth of the f22 is not that impressive.
the f22 has abt 1% the radar sig of a normal fighter, that means that if the su30’s normal detection range for a 3m^2 target is 160km, the f22 would not be seen until it gets within 40km of the flanker, plenty of time to get off a few amraams. but the mig31’s radar is said to have a detection range of 300km. if this is so, then it should detect the f22 at 100km, which would give it time to fire off a few r77s, nuetrolising the raptors ‘first shoot’ capacity. could this be right?!
now, a few questions abt stealth designs.
1)the f22 is amazingly conventional looking, very unlike the f117, i was just wondering which of them have the smaller radar sig? and what principals r used in their respective designs? is it to deflect radar beams away from the source of projection, or wave absorbtion or a combanation of both?
2)when planes fly at high speeds, their temperature rises, does this rise in temp effect radar sig?
3)what is meant by a ‘wholely stealth design’? are there any trademark features that can tell u if a plane is wholely stealth? and if so, what r they?
4)is a stealth fighter stealthy when seen from all angles or just from the front or back?
look forward to hearing ur opinions, and thanks in advanced.