Chinese scientists have successfully created a lightweight material that could be used to hide military aircraft from radar detection and challenge the defense might of the United States.
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China have recently published the findings online in the "Journal of Applied Physics" on Nov. 10, Tuesday.
The current stealth planes utilize rare materials and geometry to decrease the possibility of radar detection, according to Ars Technica. These aircraft deflect radar signals away in a direction that would leave radars unable to receive the radio waves that should have returned.
While there have been great developments made in radar technology that have verified the applicability of ultra-high frequencies to combat stealth aircraft, the "active frequency selecting surface" (AFSS) developed by the Chinese scientists could possibly allow aircraft to stay hidden even from the newest radar systems.
Similar to how a chameleon could change skin color to hide from predators, the AFSS technology could make stealth planes adapt to various frequencies, capture even longer-length waves and respond properly.
Composed of Wenhua Xu, Yun He, Peng Kong, Jialin Li, Haibing Xu, Ling Miao, Shaowei Bie and Jianjun Jiang, the team of scientists developed the AFSS material that only measures 7.88 in thickness.
Likewise, AFSS uses varactor diodes, which are semiconductor capacitors, and PIN diodes that can resist electromagnetic radiation at microwave and radio frequencies.
Even though there are no reports about the new stealth technology being utilized already by the military of China, the findings do reveal that the United States already has competition when it comes to aerial defense.
Using stealth technology, the United States successfully allowed the military to trump those of other nations and assert global dominance. The innovation in stealth technology could prove to be worrisome to military planners.
The latest stealth planes released by China, which are the Shenyang J-31 and the Chengdu J-20, however, have not been confirmed to have the AFSS material, according to Tech Times.
On a positive note, the United States can readily create anti-stealth equipment by analyzing the study published in the scientific journal.