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The Chinese military has announced the development of a new radar-defeating coating that could significantly enhance stealth technology by hiding targets from anti-stealth radar. This paper-thin coating, designed to absorb low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves, is said to offer a level of stealth previously unavailable with existing radar-absorbing materials. According to reports, the new material, developed by China’s National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), can absorb EM waves from various angles, rendering it highly effective against radar systems that use different wavelengths.
What sets China’s new radar-defeating coating apart is its thinness and ability to absorb a wider range of EM waves, including those commonly used in anti-stealth P-band and L-band radar systems. According to the researchers, the material converts EM waves with wavelengths ranging from 70 cm to 20 cm into heat, which is then dissipated into the air, preventing the waves from returning to the radar source. This process is similar to how existing radar-absorbing materials work but with a key difference: the new coating is paper-thin, far thinner than current materials, which can be as thick as 1.5 mm.
This breakthrough is not China’s first foray into anti-stealth technology. Earlier this year, the country unveiled a new plasma stealth device and, in August, introduced an inexpensive iron-based camouflage to defeat both radar and infrared detection. The latest development builds on these efforts, with scientists citing the use of “metamaterials” as the key to the new coating’s effectiveness. These artificial composite materials exhibit unusual properties that allow for the absorption of radar waves without relying on bulky or costly magnetic materials. The research behind this coating was published in the Chinese-language journal “Telecommunication Engineering” in October, according to Interesting Engineering.
The paper-thin material is lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive to produce, making it a promising option for a range of military platforms, including aircraft and other weapon systems. Researchers suggest this new technology could provide China with a strategic advantage in future conflicts, with some even claiming it could play a crucial role in the country’s military success.
