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Chinese researchers have reportedly developed a method for detecting aircraft, including stealth fighters, by leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. According to Chinese media and Interesting Engineering, the breakthrough involves detecting the “shadow” of an aircraft against the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the satellites. This passive detection technique could potentially revolutionize how stealth aircraft are tracked.
The experiment, conducted off the coast of Guangdong in the South China Sea, utilized a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone to simulate the radar cross-section of a stealth fighter such as the American F-22.
Stealth aircraft are designed to evade radar detection through specialized geometric shapes and radar-absorbing materials, which minimize their radar signature. The new method exploits the fact that when an aircraft enters the space between Starlink satellites and ground antennas, it can scatter the satellites’ electromagnetic waves, disrupting normal communication signals.
The researchers discovered that this scattering effect could be detected and analyzed to track stealth aircraft. The concept of using forward scatter for detection was initially proposed by Russian scientists at an international conference in 2015, but Starlink satellites, which began launching in 2019, have expanded this idea into practical application, according to Interesting Engineering. With over 6,000 satellites in orbit, Starlink provides a dense network of high-frequency radio signals.
Although Starlink signals are encrypted and not available to users in China, the research team claims they can build a receiver using affordable, readily available electronic components. The antenna used in their experiments is small—about the size of a frying pan—and mounted on a rotatable base to track moving satellites. While the technology successfully detected detailed features like drone rotor movement, it is not yet ready for military use.
The team has refined their forward scatter radar detection model and developed a new algorithm processed by a high-performance chip. While current capabilities are limited and the technology cannot yet be militarized, the researchers believe their method could significantly enhance the detection of small and stealth targets. They argue that using third-party radiation sources, like Starlink signals, could improve radar systems’ concealment and anti-jamming capabilities.
