Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have made a man-made structure or material that makes it harder for a radar to see stealth vehicles and covert buildings.
This material can take in a wide range of radar frequencies, no matter which way the signals are coming from. It can also be used to cover windows or glass panels on stealth vehicles and in places that radars can’t see.
IIT Mandi’s Dr. G. Shrikanth Reddy says, “Radars are used in both the military and the civilian sector for surveillance, navigation, and to find and track aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and people moving in and out of secret facilities.” Being invisible to radars is a key defence strategy, and being able to avoid radar detection can make it less likely that enemy weapons will target you.
He says, “Any technology that makes things invisible to radars can also be used in business to make buildings safer and less likely to leak radiation.” For example, being invisible to radar can also be used to keep things private in private or secret places.”
Reddy adds, “We have developed the technology based on frequency selective surface (FSS), which absorbs a wide range of radar frequencies and makes surfaces invisible to radars.”
He also says, “Tests have shown that the FSS technology can absorb more than 90% of radar waves across a wide range of frequencies.” The team tested their design in the real world, and the results were in line with the theoretical analysis, proving that it worked.
This technology can be used in defence to reduce or get rid of the radar signature of aircraft, ships, and other military vehicles.