China develops anti-stealth radars

[TaiShang]

China develops anti-stealth radars

By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/3/18

An efficient air-to-ground reconnaissance tool: experts

Soldiers assigned to a radar station with the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command checks the radar system after a heavy snow on December 20, 2018. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xu Hangchuan)

Chinese arms companies recently made multiple terahertz radiation radar systems with a technology seen by experts as an efficient air-to-ground reconnaissance tool and a potential counter to stealth aircraft.

A prototype terahertz radiation radar was successfully developed by a China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) team led by scientist Li Yuanji, and a second-generation prototype is already in development, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday, citing a statement released by CETC.

The development of terahertz radiation radar is a global challenge, according to the CETC statement.

The CCTV report said that terahertz radiation has wavelengths between those of infrared rays and microwaves, a wide spectrum that would render current stealth technologies obsolete, making the radar able to detect stealth aircraft.

Stealth aircraft usually use composite materials and radar wave-absorbing coatings, so normal radars cannot effectively detect them, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times on Monday.

Terahertz radiation, on the other hand, could penetrate those materials and expose metallic parts within the aircraft, lifting its cover, Wei said.

He also noted that a terahertz radiation radar could also clearly trace the outline of an object, making it possible to even tell what type of object it is.

Experts said the terahertz radiation decays very fast in the air, meaning, the effective range of the radar is likely low and not sufficient for detecting an advanced stealth fighter jet in time before it launches attacks from beyond visual range.

While the anti-stealth aspect of the technology still needs time to be ironed out, the technology can be used for air-to-ground reconnaissance at great efficiency, Wei noted.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) successfully developed China's first terahertz radiation video synthetic aperture radar, Beijing-based newspaper Science and Technology Daily reported in December 2018.

The CASIC radar uses terahertz radiation to see through complicated environments like smoke, smog and dim lights, and can efficiently detect ground infantry targets in camouflage and disguise, the newspaper said, noting it has a stronger penetration capability than infrared vision devices.

When placed on an aircraft or a drone, the radar would allow operators to clearly see battlefield situations and deliver precision strikes on targets that would be otherwise difficult to detect, Wei said.

Targets will have nowhere to hide, said the newspaper.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1142562.shtml

 

[Menthol]

But it's not effective to detect long range.

While the current fifth generation fighter uses long range tactic.

 

[Beast]

But it's not effective to detect long range.

While the current fifth generation fighter uses long range tactic.

Experts said the terahertz radiation decays very fast in the air, meaning, the effective range of the radar is likely low and not sufficient for detecting an advanced stealth fighter jet in time before it launches attacks from beyond visual range.

The Chinese scientist never claim it to be short range rather but rather the comment about it being decay is make by slayers of so called expert. It must have acceptable detection range before being accepted by PLA for deployment. I do not expect it to detect true stealth fighter jet at 200-300km but even a range of 100-150km detection range will be very decent. Couple with normal high band long range radar. It can be formidable.

 

[gambit]

First it was bi-static radar, then when that system proved practically and tactically untenable, it was long wavelength, then when that also proved practically and tactically untenable, it was over-the-horizon (OTH), then when that proved impractical, it was infrared sensor, then when that proved tactically insufficient, now we got terahertz freq. Each time, each idea's proponent declared the 'end of stealth'.

The thz band is essentially optical or photons...

https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/military/the-truth-about-terahertz

...electromagnetic spectrum that lies between the microwave and the optical, corresponding to frequencies of about 300 billion hertz to 10 trillion hertz (or if you prefer, wavelengths of 1 millimeter down to 30 micrometers).

One of the earliest promising applications of the thz freq was medical, as in penetrating tissues.

https://www.osapublishing.org/Direc...6-18-22709.pdf?da=1&id=396323&seq=0&mobile=no

Abstract: A multilayered water–skin model is used to experimentally verify a new sensing method for determining the skin penetration depth of radiation with 0.1–0.9 terahertz (THz) frequencies.

Then it was short distance communication.

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-future-wireless-terahertz.html

...terahertz radiation provides a more focused signal that could improve the efficiency of communication stations and reduce power consumption of mobile towers.

The common theme for these applications is short distances.

In order to have a functional thz radar capable of transmitting tens and even hundreds of km/miles the power CONSUMPTION would be in magnitudes depending on the specific system design. The higher the intended distance, the greater the power required.

The next problem is atmospheric attenuation (loss). If the radar's operation is pulsed, which is most likely to be in order to have target resolutions of speed and heading, a pulse is finite packet of energy and that mean greater tendency to be affected by moisture in the atmosphere.

It is not lost on US -- the sole wielder of 'stealth' platforms -- that more and more complex detection systems are needed and not one or combinations of them are proven in any tactically useful way.

 

[S10]

I don't think a particular radar will be effective in detecting and tracking low observable aircraft. These anti-steal radars have been touted since the early 1990's, but none of them lived up to the hype. You will need multiple types of sensors, both active and passive, working together in a complex IADS to effectively deal with the threat presented by these types of targets.

 

[Khafee]

First it was bi-static radar, then when that system proved practically and tactically untenable, it was long wavelength, then when that also proved practically and tactically untenable, it was over-the-horizon (OTH), then when that proved impractical, it was infrared sensor, then when that proved tactically insufficient, now we got terahertz freq. Each time, each idea's proponent declared the 'end of stealth'.

The thz band is essentially optical or photons...

https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/military/the-truth-about-terahertz

One of the earliest promising applications of the thz freq was medical, as in penetrating tissues.

https://www.osapublishing.org/Direc...6-18-22709.pdf?da=1&id=396323&seq=0&mobile=no

Then it was short distance communication.

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-future-wireless-terahertz.html

The common theme for these applications is short distances.

In order to have a functional thz radar capable of transmitting tens and even hundreds of km/miles the power CONSUMPTION would be in magnitudes depending on the specific system design. The higher the intended distance, the greater the power required.

The next problem is atmospheric attenuation (loss). If the radar's operation is pulsed, which is most likely to be in order to have target resolutions of speed and heading, a pulse is finite packet of energy and that mean greater tendency to be affected by moisture in the atmosphere.

It is not lost on US -- the sole wielder of 'stealth' platforms -- that more and more complex detection systems are needed and not one or combinations of them are proven in any tactically useful way.

How do you compare the Chinese stealth radar, with VERA?

 

[Beast]

How do you compare the Chinese stealth radar, with VERA?

You are asking the wrong person to comment on Chinese radar. He will never be partial on Chinese equipment.

But i can give u an example to gauge chinese radar standard. JF-17 with Chinese KLJ-7 Radar tear down IAF mig-21 bison equipped with russianr kopyo radar, western avionic and israel elta jammer without a single loss.

 

[Viet]

Experts said the terahertz radiation decays very fast in the air, meaning, the effective range of the radar is likely low and not sufficient for detecting an advanced stealth fighter jet in time before it launches attacks from beyond visual range.

The Chinese scientist never claim it to be short range rather but rather the comment about it being decay is make by slayers of so called expert. It must have acceptable detection range before being accepted by PLA for deployment. I do not expect it to detect true stealth fighter jet at 200-300km but even a range of 100-150km detection range will be very decent. Couple with normal high band long range radar. It can be formidable.

You are a dreamer. Although the article doesn’t reveal any radar range. I guess China Terra herz radar functions similar to terra Herz scanner that is used as body scanner at airports. Terra Herz have a typical range of few meters. Does Chinese air defense expect US stealth aircraft fly just few meters before the radars?

I give you a tip: human eyes have a range of kilometers. Just use them.

 

[Beast]

You are a dreamer. Although the article doesn’t reveal any radar range. I guess China Terra herz radar functions similar to terra Herz scanner that is used as body scanner at airports. Terra Herz have a typical range of few meters. Does Chinese air defense expect US stealth aircraft fly just few meters before the radars?

I give you a tip: human eyes have a range of kilometers. Just use them.

High tech is difficult got Vietnamese to understand. Your Su-30 got lock 30times by J-10 radar and that is why your VCP decide to get friendly with CCP instead of drumming for more war. I will not be surprised later u will claim Chinese railgun is same as stun gun that can hit 50m away only.

 

[gambit]

How do you compare the Chinese stealth radar, with VERA?

Same -- tactically inefficient.

VERA is a bi-static radar configuration using a variety of signals that is of non-ownership and at least practically proven in development. However, in actual combat, the system is vulnerable precisely because those signals are not owned by the VERA system itself. Those signals are supposedly from TV, radio, and even cell phones. In combat, how many TV, radios, and cell phone towers would be transmitting? What about losing electrical stations? What about ECM against those signals? The US have a similar version called 'Silent Sentry' and the development pretty much stalled because of those tactical issues.

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Congrats for making terahertz radiation radar. This will shape future of China defense against stealth fighters.

 

[gambit]

High tech is difficult got Vietnamese to understand.

This is hilarious considering the prevalence of 'Chinese physics' in this forum.

You are asking the wrong person to comment on Chinese radar.

Incorrect. He asked the right person.

He will never be partial on Chinese equipment.

Of course not. I will be objective. That is why people asks me, and not you.

 

[Beast]

This is hilarious considering the prevalence of 'Chinese physics' in this forum.

How hilarious? What top scientific achievement did Vietnam contributed in last 5 years? Care to share? Maybe I need to have a Chuck, right?

 

[gambit]

How hilarious? What top scientific achievement did Vietnam contributed in last 5 years?

None. But we are talking about the US and China.

 

[Viet]

High tech is difficult got Vietnamese to understand. Your Su-30 got lock 30times by J-10 radar and that is why your VCP decide to get friendly with CCP instead of drumming for more war. I will not be surprised later u will claim Chinese railgun is same as stun gun that can hit 50m away only.

It’s the law of physics of electromagnetic waves. The higher the frequency the lower the range. Or China wants to surprise the world with a new definition of physics?

Railgun is a hype. The US is testing it for years. Very far from the point the gun can be mounted on a ship. The principle of railgun was published in a science magazine some 70 years ago. China railgun? Yes I saw it on a picture. Should I comment on it? You wouldn’t be amused.