China Has Developed a Stealth Material That Could Make Fighters Invisible. It’s the ‘Key for China to Win Future Wars,’ Developers Say

When it comes to military technology, defense is just as critical as firepower. Defense measures can be passive, such as armor, or active, like countermeasures against drones. To stay ahead of rivals’ advancements, governments are constantly innovating, including investments in camouflage technology—a field where China is making notable strides.

One example is the use of plasma technology to render aircraft “invisible.” Unlike older methods, this approach doesn’t compromise a fighter’s design or aerodynamics and can adapt to various shapes. This technology could extend to space weapons or missile launch platforms, crucial areas in which major powers are competing. However, plasma stealth has its challenges, such as complexity and limitations in effectiveness.

Now, Chinese scientists are touting a promising new solution: a next-generation stealth coating made from metamaterials.

Next-Generation Stealth Aircraft

Stealth technology is often compared to a game of cat and mouse, akin to the battle between computer viruses and antivirus software. For decades, military powers have sought ways to make their aircraft invisible to detection systems. While some efforts—like the U.S.’s experimental Northrop Tacit Blue—were less successful, others, such as the Northrop B-2 Spirit, have been groundbreaking.

Today, stealth features are common in more “conventional” fighter jets. The U.S. F-35 and China’s J-35A have both achieved significant milestones in sophisticated camouflage. However, both nations continue pushing the boundaries of stealth technology.

According to the South China Morning Post, researchers at China’s National University of Defense Technology may have made a breakthrough. They’ve developed a lightweight, flexible, and mass-producible material from a combination of metamaterials and metals. The exact composition remains classified, but the material reportedly converts electromagnetic waves—ranging from 27.5 to 7.87 inches in wavelength—into heat, effectively blinding radar systems.

Cui Kaibo, the lead researcher on the project, explained, “Emerging artificial composite materials, through periodic or aperiodic arrangements, exhibit unusual properties and can achieve physical phenomena and applications that natural materials cannot.” In essence, the coating uses metal foils to generate electric currents from low-frequency electromagnetic waves, which are then dissipated as heat.

When low-frequency electromagnetic waves hit the coating made of this material, they induce electric currents on the surface of the metal foil, which are converted into heat and quickly dissipated into the air. According to the researchers, this stealth material offers several advantages over traditional technologies. It avoids the need for heavy, expensive magnetic components, making it lightweight, affordable, and scalable for various military applications.

Cui has called the material “the key for China to win future wars.” Its applications go beyond fighter jets. Drones, already a significant threat in modern conflicts, could become even more formidable with this stealth coating. In fact, China recently unveiled a drone coated in metamaterial, boasting radar-evading capabilities.

Military innovation often triggers an arms race, and the U.S. is likely to respond with its own advancements. The introduction of stealth coatings like this could also prompt the development of more sophisticated radar systems. For instance, when the U.S. showcased the F-35 as a pinnacle of stealth technology, China countered by claiming it had radar systems capable of detecting the jet.

Image | Pixabay | University of Defense Technology

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