Chinese scientists and engineers have created a new plasma** device that is primarily used to shield critical parts of the aircraft, rather than the entire aircraft.
This could be a game-changer for military aircraft that currently rely on radar-absorbing coatings and geometry for stealth.
Allegedly, a team of scientists and engineers in western China has developed a new generation of plasma** devices that can make virtually any military aircraft disappear from radar screens.
Unlike its predecessor, which produced a cloud of plasma that shrouded the aircraft, this innovative device can be tailored to suit the sensitive parts of military aircraft. For example, radar domes, cockpits, or other areas that are most easily detected by enemy radar.
This kind"Enclosed electron beam plasma** device"The focus is on protecting critical parts, not the entire aircraft, and it can be turned on at a moment's notice, fooling the radar operator.
Tan Chang, a scientist involved in the project, wrote in a peer-reviewed ** published in the Chinese Journal of Radio Science in December:"It has many advantages such as simple structure, wide adjustable power range, and high plasma density."
Tan Chang and his colleagues from the Plasma Technology Center at the Xi'an Aerospace Propulsion Research Institute, part of China's largest aerospace defense contractor, said the novel technology solution could soon be applied to a variety of military aircraft to meet China's rapidly growing demand for superior military capabilities.
The research team behind the discovery said their work could help the Chinese side with electronic warfare.
Plasma is made up of charged particles that interact with electromagnetic waves in a unique way. When electromagnetic waves, such as those emitted by radar, interact with plasma, causing particles to move and collide rapidly, dissipating the energy of the electromagnetic waves and reducing the strength of the reflected signal.
This interaction converts the energy of the electromagnetic wave into the mechanical and thermal energy of the charged particle, which reduces the intensity of the electromagnetic wave and thus weakens the reflected radar signal. Even if it is not designed for the first time, the radar signature can be greatly reduced by this plasma ** device, which could be a game-changer in air combat.
The concept of plasma technology dates back to the Cold War, when both the United States and the Soviet Union invested significant resources in research and development. However, due to technical limitations, the technology never made it beyond the laboratory stage. Today's aircraft, such as the F-22 and F-35, rely on radar-absorbing coatings and unique geometries to achieve this, often at the expense of aerodynamic performance. For example, the F-22 fighter struggles in close combat, while the F-35 fighter does not maintain supersonic cruise speed. Moreover, these **fighters** are also expensive.
China's exploration of plasma stealth technology is long overdue. Early on, some experts believed that if Western countries could not make a breakthrough, China would not succeed either. However, with the vigorous development of China's high-tech field and the booming electronics and telecommunications industries, the squadron has also made a leap forward in electromagnetic control technology.
Plasma can change the frequency of the reflected signal, allowing enemy radars to detect the wrong aircraft position and speed data, and thus obtain false signals. Plasma can also act as an intangible"Shields"to withstand high-power microwaves**.
A growing number of Chinese researchers believe that this technology will play a crucial role in the confrontation between future military powers.
According to the research of Tan Chang's team, two plasma stealth devices have been put to the test. One device is to coat areas of aircraft that are susceptible to radar interference with radioactive isotopes that emit high-energy rays that ionize the surrounding air. This creates a plasma layer that is thick and dense enough to cover the surface and scatter radar signals. The other device uses high-frequency, high-voltage electricity to activate and ionize the gaseous medium outside the aircraft, creating a plasma region.
Both methods of stealth by means of cryogenic plasma have been flight tested and proven to be successful,"Tan's team wrote in **.
Chinese scientists have even extended the technology into space, using alkali metal jet plasma generators to form plasma clouds, enabling stealth on platforms such as intercontinental missiles or military satellites, they added.
However, existing plasma stealth technology also has some drawbacks. When exposed to an open environment, plasma is difficult to shape accurately, and maintaining a consistently high density is also a challenge. Gaps in the plasma allow electromagnetic waves to reflect back, exposing the aircraft's position.
A number of Chinese researchers, including the Air Force, are trying to build on existing results and develop a closed plasma stealth technology. This will confine the plasma to a sealed cavity, making it easier to generate high-density plasma and change its characteristic parameters to absorb multi-band electromagnetic waves. Scientists say this will provide additional protection for important areas targeted by enemy radars"Such as radar domes and pilots' cockpits"。
Tan's team has developed a device that uses electron beam discharge to produce a large area of enclosed plasma, a method that has been made public for the first time. Compared to other reported technologies, this method separates the plasma from the generator, providing greater flexibility in cavity design to accommodate different aircraft structures.
According to the research team, the plasma produced by the electron beam is well suited for real-world applications due to its superior physical property tunability, higher energy efficiency, reduced power requirements of the aircraft, and lower weight.
Prototype tests on the ground showed the feasibility of its design. However, not everyone can build such a machine, as there are many technical difficulties behind its deceptively simple structure. For example, according to Chinese researchers, accurate measurement of plasma inside cavities with existing methods is a significant obstacle.
The development of the project involved a number of technological innovations, some of which Tan's team shared in **, including the technology to adjust the density of inert gases in the cavity.
They emphasize that for this technology to be suitable for specific engineering applications, careful consideration of the structural characteristics of the aircraft is required.
Tan and his colleague added:"We expect this technology to be put into practice in China soon."
Stephen Chan, South China Morning Post, February 19, 2024