94-852: The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat , previously known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System ( ATS ), is a stealth , multirole , unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is designed as a force multiplier aircraft capable of flying alongside crewed aircraft for support as part of an integrated system ( loyal wingman ) including space-based capabilities, and performing autonomous missions independently using artificial intelligence . As of October 2024, eight prototype vehicles have been built with more than 100 hours of flight testing. Three additional Block 2 airframes will be produced by 2025. The aircraft
188-470: A corner reflector consisting of either a dihedral (two plates) or a trihedral (three orthogonal plates). This configuration occurs in the tail of a conventional aircraft, where the vertical and horizontal components of the tail are set at right angles. Stealth aircraft such as the F-117 use a different arrangement, tilting the tail surfaces to reduce corner reflections formed between them. A more radical method
282-617: A radial velocity component relative to the radar. Mission planners use their knowledge of enemy radar locations and the RCS pattern of the aircraft to design a flight path that minimizes radial speed while presenting the lowest-RCS aspects of the aircraft to the threat radar. To be able to fly these "safe" routes, it is necessary to understand an enemy's radar coverage (see electronic intelligence ). Airborne or mobile radar systems such as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C, AWACS) can complicate tactical strategy for stealth operation. After
376-451: A British bomber of the 1960s, had a remarkably small appearance on radar despite its large size, and occasionally disappeared from radar screens entirely. It is now known that it had a fortuitously stealthy shape apart from the vertical element of the tail. Despite being designed before a low radar cross-section (RCS) and other stealth factors were ever a consideration, a Royal Aircraft Establishment technical note of 1957 stated that of all
470-502: A digital environment. Three additional airframes Block 2 will be produced by 2025. The Ghost Bat is an uncrewed aerial vehicle incorporating artificial intelligence and utilising a modular mission package system in the nose of the aircraft. The entire nose section can be removed and quickly swapped for another with a different payload for various missions including combat, force reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Developed under Air Force Minor Program DEF 6014, one role will be to use
564-402: A digital glitch in the processing system. Stealth airframes sometimes display distinctive serrations on some exposed edges, such as the engine ports. The YF-23 has such serrations on the exhaust ports. This is another example in the parallel alignment of features, this time on the external airframe. The shaping requirements detracted greatly from the F-117 's aerodynamic properties. It
658-482: A door or hatch opens. Parallel alignment of edges or even surfaces is also often used in stealth designs. The technique involves using a small number of edge orientations in the shape of the structure. For example, on the F-22A Raptor , the leading edges of the wing and the tail planes are set at the same angle. Other smaller structures, such as the air intake bypass doors and the air refueling aperture, also use
752-473: A number of stealthy features including special fuel to reduce the signature of the exhaust plume, canted vertical stabilizers, the use of composite materials in key locations, and the overall finish in radar-absorbent paint. In 1960, the USAF reduced the radar cross-section of a Ryan Q-2C Firebee drone. This was achieved through specially designed screens over the air intake, and radiation-absorbent material on
846-697: A part in the development of composite material and curvilinear surfaces, low observables, fly-by-wire, and other stealth technology innovations. The success of Have Blue led the Air Force to create the Senior Trend program which developed the F-117. In the early 21st century, the proliferation of stealth technology began outside of the United States. Both Russia and China tested their stealth aircraft in 2010. Russia manufactured 10 flyable prototypes of
940-480: A party of British scientists to inspect the airfield which was recently completed. During 2015, all of the Woomera aerodrome aircraft parking aprons (4), taxiways and the main runway, were all refurbished in $ 40M upgrade. In 2016, through public tender, a significant repair was made to Hangar 1, and in 2018 the air movements terminal was refurbished and a new secure-storage facility built. A new connecting road between
1034-557: A person or vehicle can be detected; more so radar cross-section reductions , but also acoustic , thermal , and other aspects. Almost since the invention of radar , various methods have been tried to minimize detection. Rapid development of radar during World War II led to equally rapid development of numerous counter radar measures during the period; a notable example of this was the use of chaff . Modern methods include radar jamming and deception . The term stealth in reference to reduced radar signature aircraft became popular during
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#17328014785591128-526: A power-on of its systems in March 2020, and was rolled out in May 2020 by Boeing Australia with the release of images showing a detailed prototype of the aircraft and a video to illustrate the drone's operational abilities. In May 2022, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reflected "This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation. The Loyal Wingman will be pivotal to exploring
1222-465: A primary role for submarines and ground vehicles. Submarines use extensive rubber mountings to isolate, damp, and avoid mechanical noises that can reveal locations to underwater passive sonar arrays. Early stealth observation aircraft used slow-turning propellers to avoid being heard by enemy troops below. Stealth aircraft that stay subsonic can avoid being tracked by sonic boom . The presence of supersonic and jet-powered stealth aircraft such as
1316-414: A range of more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi). The UAV's jet engine allows it to fly in the high subsonic flight regime and keep up with manned fighters. Boeing has said it has 'fighter-like' maneuverability. The MQ-28A prototype did not use any radiation-absorbent material (RAM) coating and instead relied on its shape to reduce its radar cross section (RCS). The aircraft wing
1410-588: A second prototype completed its first test flight. In August 2022, it was revealed by United States Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall that preliminary discussions were being held about purchasing the MQ-28 for US service. The 2023 Defence budget revealed that a Combat Collaborative Aircraft Project Arrangement for greater collaboration on the MQ-28 had been signed with the US in line with
1504-497: A sizeable return), and possibly return to the radar, but the conductive coating creates a controlled shape that deflects the incoming radar waves away from the radar. The coating is thin enough that it has no adverse effect on pilot vision. Ships have also adopted similar methods. Though the earlier Arleigh Burke-class destroyer incorporated some signature-reduction features. the Norwegian Skjold-class corvette
1598-439: A square flat plate of area 1 m will have an RCS of σ=4π A / λ (where A =area, λ =wavelength), or 13,982 m at 10 GHz if the radar is perpendicular to the flat surface. At off-normal incident angles , energy is reflected away from the receiver, reducing the RCS. Modern stealth aircraft are said to have an RCS comparable with small birds or large insects, though this varies widely depending on aircraft and radar. If
1692-483: A stealth vehicle must avoid radiating any other detectable energy, such as from onboard radars, communications systems, or RF leakage from electronics enclosures. The F-117 uses passive infrared and low light level television sensor systems to aim its weapons and the F-22 Raptor has an advanced LPI radar which can illuminate enemy aircraft without triggering a radar warning receiver response. The size of
1786-420: A target's image on radar is measured by the radar cross section (RCS), often represented by the symbol σ and expressed in square meters. This does not equal geometric area. A perfectly conducting sphere of projected cross sectional area 1 m (i.e. a diameter of 1.13 m) will have an RCS of 1 m . Note that for radar wavelengths much less than the diameter of the sphere, RCS is independent of frequency. Conversely,
1880-417: Is inherently unstable , and cannot be flown without a fly-by-wire control system . Similarly, coating the cockpit canopy with a thin film transparent conductor ( vapor-deposited gold or indium tin oxide ) helps to reduce the aircraft's radar profile, because radar waves would normally enter the cockpit, reflect off objects (the inside of a cockpit has a complex shape, with a pilot helmet alone forming
1974-704: Is Boeing's largest resin-infused single composite component, leveraging technology from the trailing edge of Boeing 787 wings. Three key manufacturing innovations were incorporated in the areas of robotic drill and fill, shimless assembly, and full-size determinant assembly. BAE Systems Australia supplies the uncrewed flight vehicle management solution and simulation capability, flight control computers and navigation equipment. Data from Air International General characteristics Performance Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Stealth technology Stealth technology , also termed low observable technology ( LO technology ),
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#17328014785592068-543: Is a phenomenon proposed to use ionized gas, termed a plasma , to reduce RCS of vehicles. Interactions between electromagnetic radiation and ionized gas have been studied extensively for many purposes, including concealing vehicles from radar. Various methods might form a layer or cloud of plasma around a vehicle to deflect or absorb radar, from simpler electrostatic to radio frequency (RF) more complex laser discharges, but these may be difficult in practice. Several technology research and development efforts exist to integrate
2162-507: Is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive and active electronic countermeasures . The term covers a range of methods used to make personnel, aircraft , ships , submarines , missiles , satellites , and ground vehicles less visible (ideally invisible ) to radar , infrared , sonar and other detection methods. It corresponds to military camouflage for these parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (i.e., multi-spectral camouflage ). Development of modern stealth technologies in
2256-547: Is accessible by the public and essentially encompasses that part of RAAF Base Woomera long referred to as the Woomera Village . Woomera Village is often quoted as a 'remote town'. It is not a 'town', but rather an 'open base' of the RAAF. The 'village' has previously always functioned as an Australian Government/Defence Force garrison facility until it was fully incorporated into RAAF Base Woomera in 2015. RAAF Base Woomera
2350-474: Is also well able to handle larger aircraft types such as the C-5 Galaxy and Boeing 747 . Large aircraft movements occur often at Woomera in support of ADF test and evaluation activities on the complex. The centre line of the airfield was surveyed by Len Beadell in early 1947. A RAF Dakota was the first aircraft to use the field, as it landed at Woomera on 19 June 1947. It brought General Evetts and
2444-542: Is an operational Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military airbase located within the 122,188-square-kilometre (47,177 sq mi) RAAF Woomera Range Complex , situated approximately 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) north of the base's "village" area, in South Australia , Australia. Officially established as an airbase with effect from January 2015, the RAAF Base Woomera comprises
2538-414: Is assumed that Yehudi lights could be used in the future to hide the airframe (against the background of the sky, including at night, aircraft of any colour appear dark ) or as a sort of active camouflage. The original B-2 design had wing tanks for a contrail -inhibiting chemical, alleged by some to be chlorofluorosulfonic acid, but this was replaced in the final design with a contrail sensor that alerts
2632-467: Is based out of RAAF Edinburgh, but they also maintain a permanent detachment based out of RAAF Base Woomera. The role of AFTR SQN is the day-to-day operation and management of the ranges within the WRC. RAAF Base Woomera is located approximately 450 km (280 mi) north of RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide ). The Woomera Range Complex (WRC) is used as a specialised Defence systems test range supporting
2726-414: Is essential, and mistakes can lead to detectability enhancement rather than the desired reduction. An exhaust plume contributes a significant infrared signature. One means to reduce IR signature is to have a non-circular tail pipe (a slit shape) to minimize the exhaust cross sectional area and maximize the mixing of hot exhaust with cool ambient air (see Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk , rectangular nozzles on
2820-460: Is proportional to the fourth root of RCS; thus, reducing detection range by a factor of 10 requires a reduction of RCS by a factor of 10,000. The possibility of designing aircraft in such a manner as to reduce their radar cross-section was recognized in the late 1930s, when the first radar tracking systems were employed, and it has been known since at least the 1960s that aircraft shape makes a significant difference in detectability. The Avro Vulcan ,
2914-482: Is radar transparent or absorbing, behind which are structures termed reentrant triangles . Radar waves penetrating the skin get trapped in these structures, reflecting off the internal faces and losing energy. This method was first used on the Blackbird series: A-12 , YF-12A , Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird . The most efficient way to reflect radar waves back to the emitting radar is with orthogonal metal plates, forming
Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-535: Is the first combat aircraft designed and developed in Australia in over half a century. In February 2019, Boeing said that it will "depend on the market" whether the aircraft is manufactured in Australia or the US. Ghost Bat will remain a sovereign Australian program, with aircraft only being produced in Australia and the lead partner on the program being the RAAF. On 4 November 2021, Boeing Australia announced
3102-462: Is to omit the tail, as in the B-2 Spirit . The B-2's clean, low-drag flying wing configuration gives it exceptional range and reduces its radar profile. The flying wing design most closely resembles a so-called infinite flat plate (as vertical control surfaces dramatically increase RCS), the perfect stealth shape, as it would have no angles to reflect back radar waves. In addition to altering
3196-571: Is to use metasurfaces which can redirect scattered waves without altering the geometry of a target. Such metasurfaces can primarily be classified in two categories: (i) checkerboard metasurfaces, (ii) gradient index metasurfaces. Similarly, negative index metamaterials are artificial structures for which refractive index has a negative value for some frequency range, such as in microwave, infrared, or possibly optical. These offer another way to reduce detectability, and may provide electromagnetic near-invisibility in designed wavelengths. Plasma stealth
3290-545: The Lockheed Martin F-22 , and serrated nozzle flaps on the Lockheed Martin F-35 ). Often, cool air is deliberately injected into the exhaust flow to boost this process (see Ryan AQM-91 Firefly and Northrop B-2 Spirit ). The Stefan–Boltzmann law shows how this results in less energy ( Thermal radiation in infrared spectrum) being released and thus reduces the heat signature. In some aircraft,
3384-538: The Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) concept to support and protect manned Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, such as the F-35A , F/A-18F , E-7A , and KC-30A while they conduct operations. The UAV is designed to act as a "loyal wingman" that is controlled by a parent aircraft to accomplish tasks such as scouting or absorbing enemy fire if attacked, as well as operating independently. It has
3478-604: The Melbourne facility, Boeing Aerostructures Australia , had already commenced construction of its fifth aircraft. On 26 March 2024, Boeing Australia announced construction had started on a 9000 square-meter 'Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct' facility in Toowoomba in partnership with the Wagner Corporation . While earthworks begin, Wagner Corporation is continuing to work with Boeing Australia to finalise
3572-470: The SR-71 Blackbird indicates that acoustic signature is not always a major driver in aircraft design, as the Blackbird relied more on its very high speed and altitude. One method to reduce helicopter rotor noise is modulated blade spacing . Standard rotor blades are evenly spaced, and produce greater noise at a given frequency and its harmonics . Using varied spacing between the blades spreads
3666-425: The diffraction-limited systems given their long wavelengths, and by the radar's size, making it difficult to transport. A long-wave radar may detect a target and roughly locate it, but not provide enough information to identify it, target it with weapons, or even to guide a fighter to it. Stealth aircraft attempt to minimize all radar reflections, but are specifically designed to avoid reflecting radar waves back in
3760-591: The 20SQN Air Base Command Post (20SQN ABCP), but that civilian aircraft are not normally given permission to use the airfield unless such use is related to Defence activities at Woomera. RAAF Woomera is able to operate all current types of aircraft used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including C-17A Globemasters and all fast jet types. The airfield can be fitted with an arrestor cable system when required to bring it to normal RAAF operating standards for F/A-18 Hornet operations. The airfield
3854-505: The 5th century BC, and by Frontinus in his work Strategemata in the 1st century AD. In England, irregular units of gamekeepers in the 17th century were the first to adopt drab colours (common in 16th century Irish units) as a form of camouflage , following examples from the continent. During World War I , the Germans experimented with the use of Cellon ( Cellulose acetate ), a transparent covering material, in an attempt to reduce
Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-693: The Anglo-Australian Long Range Weapons Establishment, and handed over to the Department of Supply . Evetts Field is now only semi operational, mostly used as an emergency runway for the Flying Doctor and for RAAF operations. It features two runways, each 2,028 metres (6,654 ft) long. Evetts Field was used for launching the Jindivik target drone from 31 October 1950 to June 1975. The airfield
4042-663: The Australian continent. The ghost bat is an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, which reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft's sensors and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance abilities. The RAAF initially planned to buy three Airpower Teaming System (ATS) systems, as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program (LWADP). These three drones were built at an automated production line in Melbourne , Victoria.The order
4136-592: The Defence Estate and Infracture Group (E&IG), supported by a Defence Contractor (as of March 2020 Broadspectrum ). The role of the base is to provide operational and garrison support to Defence activities within the WRC. The RAAF Woomera Test Range formation of the Woomera Range Complex is managed by the AWC's Air Force Ranges Directorate (AFRD). The Air Force Test Ranges Squadron (AFTR SQN),
4230-707: The Kriegsmarine on submarines in World War II. Tests showed they were effective in reducing radar signatures at both short (centimetres) and long (1.5 metre) wavelengths. In 1956, the CIA began attempts to reduce the radar cross-section (RCS) of the U-2 spyplane. Three systems were developed, Trapeze, a series of wires and ferrite beads around the planform of the aircraft, a covering material with PCB circuitry embedded in it, and radar-absorbent paint. These were deployed in
4324-490: The RAAF in 2024-25. In February 2024, the Australian Government announced a further A$ 400 million in funding for three more aircraft, built to the new "Block 2" standard. The announced improvements included developments to the sensors, mission payloads, integrated combat system and the autonomous systems. After a full-scale mock-up was revealed at the 2019 Avalon Airshow, the first prototype aircraft achieved
4418-564: The RCS was directly related to the target's cross-sectional area, the only way to reduce it would be to make the physical profile smaller. Rather, by reflecting much of the radiation away or by absorbing it, the target achieves a smaller radar cross section. Stealthy strike aircraft such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk , are usually used against heavily defended enemy sites such as command and control centers or surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries. Enemy radar will cover
4512-467: The Su-57, while China produced two stealth aircraft, Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang FC-31 . In 2017, China became the second country in the world to field an operational stealth aircraft, challenging the United States and its Asian allies. Stealth technology (or LO for low observability ) is not one technology. It is a set of technologies, used in combinations, that can greatly reduce the distances at which
4606-647: The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency requested funding for a reconnaissance aircraft to replace the existing U-2 spy planes, and Lockheed secured contractual rights to produce it. "Kelly" Johnson and his team at Lockheed's Skunk Works were assigned to produce the A-12 (or OXCART), which operated at high altitude of 70,000 to 80,000 ft (21,000 to 24,000 m) and speed of Mach 3.2 (2,400 mph; 3,800 km/h) to avoid radar detection. Various plane shapes designed to reduce radar detection were developed in earlier prototypes, named A-1 to A-11. The A-12 included
4700-571: The U.S. Department of Defense launched project Lockheed Have Blue , with the aim of developing a stealth fighter. There was fierce bidding between Lockheed and Northrop to secure the multibillion-dollar contract. Lockheed incorporated into its bid a text written by the Soviet-Russian physicist Pyotr Ufimtsev from 1962, titled Method of Edge Waves in the Physical Theory of Diffraction , Soviet Radio, Moscow, 1962. In 1971, this book
4794-550: The United States began in 1958, where earlier attempts to prevent radar tracking of its U-2 spy planes during the Cold War by the Soviet Union had been unsuccessful. Designers turned to developing a specific shape for planes that tended to reduce detection by redirecting electromagnetic radiation waves from radars. Radiation-absorbent material was also tested and made to reduce or block radar signals that reflect off
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#17328014785594888-590: The Vulcan's shape as acting to reduce the RCS. In contrast, the Tupolev 95 Russian long-range bomber ( NATO reporting name 'Bear') was conspicuous on radar. It is now known that propellers and jet turbine blades produce a bright radar image; the Bear has four pairs of large 18-foot (5.6 m) diameter contra-rotating propellers . Another important factor is internal construction. Some stealth aircraft have skin that
4982-464: The Woomera airfield , hangars and technical areas as well as the Woomera Village. Operations and capability management of the entire Woomera Range Complex, is vested to Commander, Air Warfare Centre (CDR AWC), located at RAAF Base Edinburgh ( Edinburgh, South Australia ). Operational management of the RAAF Base Woomera formation is the joint responsibility of No. 20 Squadron (20SQN) and
5076-609: The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA), which is essentially the ground area that delineates the Woomera Range Complex, is managed through the 'Woomera Prohibited Area Coordination Office' (WPACO) in Canberra. Note: Aeronautical access requirements for RAAF Woomera aerodrome can be found in the 'On-route supplement Australia' (ERSA). The entry for Woomera states that landing approval is coordinated through
5170-423: The aircraft so far studied, the Vulcan appeared by far the simplest radar echoing object, due to its shape: only one or two components contributing significantly to the echo at any aspect (one of them being the vertical stabilizer , which is especially relevant for side aspect RCS), compared with three or more on most other types. While writing about radar systems, authors Simon Kingsley and Shaun Quegan singled out
5264-652: The airspace around these sites with overlapping coverage, making undetected entry by conventional aircraft nearly impossible. Stealthy aircraft can also be detected, but only at short ranges around the radars; for a stealthy aircraft there are substantial gaps in the radar coverage. Thus a stealthy aircraft flying an appropriate route can remain undetected by radar. Even if a stealth aircraft is detected, fire-control radars operating in C , X and Ku bands cannot paint (for missile guidance) low observable (LO) jets except at very close ranges. Many ground-based radars exploit Doppler filter to improve sensitivity to objects having
5358-544: The building in order to comply with building code requirements. Evetts Field (AU09) is a satellite airfield located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-west of the RAAF Base Woomera within the RAAF Woomera Range Complex. On 15 May 1951 Koolymilka airfield was officially named Evetts Field in honour of Lieutenant General John Fullerton Evetts , who led the English party that selected the Woomera site for
5452-407: The coating and convert it to heat rather than reflect it back. Current technologies include dielectric composites and metal fibers containing ferrite isotopes. Ceramic composite coating is a new type of material systems which can sustain at higher temperatures with better sand erosion resistance and thermal resistance. Paint comprises depositing pyramid-like colonies on the reflecting superficies with
5546-482: The critical capabilities our Air Force needs to protect our nation and its allies into the future." Boeing announced it powered up the engine of its first Airpower Teaming System (ATS) uncrewed aircraft for the first time in September 2020. The engine test was part of ground testing to prepare for its first flight before the end of 2020. The Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) prototype moved under its own power for
5640-518: The defence of Australia. The Air Force, Department of Defence, and some State and Federal Government agencies (education, police etc.) maintain a number of full-time personnel at the base to support Defence activities at the WRC. The 2015 range proclamation states that the range may only be used for Defence related activities and that Defence access to, and use of the WRC will be managed through Headquarters, Air Warfare Centre at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Requests for Non-defence access to, and use (e.g. mining) of,
5734-577: The direction they came from (since in most cases a radar emitter and receiver are in the same location). They are less able to minimize radar reflections in other directions. Thus, detection can be better achieved if emitters are in different locations from receivers. One emitter separate from one receiver is termed bistatic radar ; one or more emitters separate from more than one receiver is termed multistatic radar . Proposals exist to use reflections from emitters such as civilian radio transmitters , including cellular telephone radio towers . By Moore's law
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#17328014785595828-519: The effort to make transparent aircraft ceased. In 1916, the British modified a small SS class airship for the purpose of night-time reconnaissance over German lines on the Western Front . Fitted with a silenced engine and a black gas bag, the craft was both invisible and inaudible from the ground but several night-time flights over German-held territory produced little useful intelligence and
5922-579: The exhaust plume. Another way to reduce the exhaust temperature is to circulate coolant fluids such as fuel inside the exhaust pipe, where the fuel tanks serve as heat sinks cooled by the flow of air along the wings. Ground combat includes the use of both active and passive infrared sensors. Thus, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) ground combat uniform requirements document specifies infrared reflective quality standards. In addition to reducing infrared and acoustic emissions,
6016-426: The ferrite layer. FSS are used for filtration and microwave absorption. Shaping offers far fewer stealth advantages against low-frequency radar . If the radar wavelength is roughly twice the size of the target, a half-wave resonance effect can still generate a significant return. However, low-frequency radar is limited by lack of available frequencies (many are heavily used by other systems), by lack of accuracy of
6110-403: The field on the so-called dirty birds but results were disappointing, the weight and drag increases were not worth any reduction in detection rates. More successful was applying camouflage paint to the originally bare metal aircraft; a deep blue was found to be most effective. The weight of this cost 250 ft in maximum altitude, but made the aircraft harder for interceptors to see. In 1958,
6204-471: The first non-Boeing pilot on the program. During a typical mission, a launch and recovery operator would oversee the aircraft as it takes flight, then it would be handed off to a crewed aircraft, such as an E-7A, F-35A or F/A-18F, whose crew tasks it to perform, for example, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. As of October 2024, eight prototype vehicles have been built with more than 100 hours of flight testing and 20,000 hours of testing in
6298-574: The first time in October 2020, conducting low-speed taxi tests at RAAF Base Amberley . The Boeing Airpower Teaming System later performed a high-speed taxi test at an unnamed remote location in December 2020. The first test flight of the prototype occurred at RAAF Base Woomera on 27 February 2021. Two more test flights occurred at RAAF Woomera Range Complex in early November 2021 where a prototype successfully raised and engaged its landing gear while
6392-628: The functions of aircraft flight control systems such as ailerons , elevators , elevons , flaps , and flaperons into wings to perform the aerodynamic purpose with the advantages of lower RCS for stealth, via simpler geometries and lower complexity (mechanically simpler, fewer or no moving parts or surfaces, less maintenance), and lower mass, cost (up to 50% less), drag (up to 15% less during use), and inertia (for faster, stronger control response to change vehicle orientation to reduce detection). Two promising approaches are flexible wings, and fluidics. RAAF Base Woomera RAAF Base Woomera (WMA),
6486-548: The fuselage, and radar-absorbent paint. The United States Army issued a specification in 1968 which called for an observation aircraft that would be acoustically undetectable from the ground when flying at an altitude of 1,500 ft (460 m) at night. This resulted in the Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star , which operated in South Vietnam from late June 1970 to September 1971. During the 1970s,
6580-532: The gaps filled with ferrite-based RAM. The pyramidal structure deflects the incident radar energy in the maze of RAM. One commonly used material is called iron ball paint . It contains microscopic iron spheres that resonate in tune with incoming radio waves and dissipate most of their energy as heat, leaving little to reflect back to detectors. FSS are planar periodic structures that behave like filters to electromagnetic energy. The considered frequency-selective surfaces are composed of conducting patch elements pasted on
6674-605: The idea was dropped. Diffused lighting camouflage , a shipborne form of counter-illumination camouflage, was trialled by the Royal Canadian Navy from 1941 to 1943. The concept was followed up for aircraft by the Americans and the British: in 1945, a Grumman Avenger with Yehudi lights reached 3,000 yards (2,700 m) from a ship before being sighted. This ability was rendered obsolete by radar . Chaff
6768-418: The invention of electromagnetic metasurfaces , the conventional means to reduce RCS have been improved significantly. As mentioned earlier, the main objective in purpose shaping is to redirect scattered waves away from the backscattered direction, which is usually the source. However, this usually compromises aerodynamic performance. One feasible solution, which has extensively been explored in recent time,
6862-486: The jet exhaust is vented above the wing surface to shield it from observers below, as in the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, and the unstealthy Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II . To achieve infrared stealth , the exhaust gas is cooled to the temperatures where the brightest wavelengths it radiates are absorbed by atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor , greatly reducing the infrared visibility of
6956-722: The late eighties when the Lockheed Martin F-117 stealth fighter became widely known. The first large scale (and public) use of the F-117 was during the Gulf War in 1991. However, F-117A stealth fighters were used for the first time in combat during Operation Just Cause , the United States invasion of Panama in 1989. Stealth aircraft are often designed to have radar cross sections that are orders of magnitude smaller than conventional aircraft. The radar range equation meant that all else being equal, detection range
7050-501: The magazine area (west of the airfield) and the northern end of the main runway was constructed. The construction of a new security control gate facility was completed in the later months of 2018, approximately 1 km north of Woomera Village, at the entrance to Base Sector North of RAAF Base Woomera. The first control tower at the Woomera Test Range originally came from RAAF Base Uranquinty , New South Wales . The tower
7144-415: The material's surface. Composites may also contain ferrites to optimize the dielectric and magnetic properties of a material for its application. Radiation-absorbent material (RAM), often as paints, are used especially on the edges of metal surfaces. While the material and thickness of RAM coatings can vary, the way they work is the same: absorb radiated energy from a ground- or air-based radar station into
7238-492: The noise or acoustic signature of the rotor over a greater range of frequencies. The simplest technology is visual camouflage ; the use of paint or other materials to color and break up the lines of a vehicle or person. Most stealth aircraft use matte paint and dark colors, and operate only at night. Lately, interest in daylight Stealth (especially by the USAF) has emphasized the use of gray paint in disruptive schemes , and it
7332-501: The outset to have a chosen spectral signature . The degree of stealth embodied in a given design is chosen according to the projected threats of detection. Camouflage to aid or avoid predation predates humanity, and hunters have been using vegetation to conceal themselves, perhaps as long as people have been hunting. The earliest application of camouflage in warfare is impossible to ascertain. Methods for visual concealment in war were documented by Sun Tzu in his book The Art of War in
7426-399: The pilot when he should change altitude and mission planning also considers altitudes where the probability of their formation is minimized. In space, mirrored surfaces can be employed to reflect views of empty space toward known or suspected observers; this approach is compatible with several radar stealth schemes. Careful control of the orientation of the satellite relative to the observers
7520-400: The potency of detection and interception technologies ( radar , infrared search and tracking , surface-to-air missiles , etc.) have increased, so too has the extent to which the design and operation of military personnel and vehicles have been affected in response. Some military uniforms are treated with chemicals to reduce their infrared signature . A modern stealth vehicle is designed from
7614-418: The processing power behind radar systems is rising over time. This will eventually erode the ability of physical stealth to hide vehicles. Synthetic aperture sidescan radars can be used to detect the location and heading of ships from their wake patterns. These are detectable from orbit. When a ship moves through a seaway it throws up a cloud of spray which can be detected by radar. Acoustic stealth plays
7708-672: The production facility design and architectural features. This facility had initially been announced on 21 September 2021 by the Queensland Premier to support construction of the Ghost Bat. In the official naming ceremony held at RAAF Base Amberley on 21 March 2022, it was announced the Loyal Wingman will be known as the MQ-28A Ghost Bat in RAAF service, named after an Australian bat found in northern parts of
7802-708: The recommendations made in the Defence Strategic Review. In July 2024, after a visit to the Ghost Bat facility in Melbourne, the Australian Assistant Minister for Defence clarified that there is an option to arm the UAV in the future in addition to its reconnaissance and surveillance roles. On 13 June 2024, the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) remote systems pilot Wing commander Parsons completed Boeing's training, becoming
7896-405: The same angles. The effect of this is to return a narrow radar signal in a very specific direction away from the radar emitter rather than returning a diffuse signal detectable at many angles. The effect is sometimes called "glitter" after the very brief signal seen when the reflected beam passes across a detector. It can be difficult for the radar operator to distinguish between a glitter event and
7990-498: The surfaces of aircraft. Such changes to shape and surface composition comprise stealth technology as currently used on the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit "Stealth Bomber". The concept of stealth is to operate or hide while giving enemy forces no indication as to the presence of friendly forces. This concept was first explored through camouflage to make an object's appearance blend into the visual background. As
8084-442: The tail, stealth design must bury the engines within the wing or fuselage , or in some cases where stealth is applied to an extant aircraft, install baffles in the air intakes, so that the compressor blades are not visible to radar. A stealthy shape must be devoid of complex bumps or protrusions of any kind, meaning that weapons, fuel tanks, and other stores must not be carried externally. Any stealthy vehicle becomes un-stealthy when
8178-584: The visibility of military aircraft. Single examples of the Fokker E.III Eindecker fighter monoplane, the Albatros C.I two-seat observation biplane, and the Linke-Hofmann R.I prototype heavy bomber were covered with Cellon . However, sunlight glinting from the material made the aircraft even more visible. Cellon was also found to degrade quickly from both sunlight and in-flight temperature changes, so
8272-615: Was applied by Lockheed in computer simulation to design a novel shape they called the "Hopeless Diamond", a wordplay on the Hope Diamond , securing contractual rights to produce the F-117 Nighthawk starting in 1975. In 1977, Lockheed produced two 60% scale models under the Have Blue contract. The Have Blue program was a stealth technology demonstrator that lasted from 1976 to 1979. The Northrop Grumman Tacit Blue also played
8366-487: Was disassembled by No. 2 Airfield Construction Squadron in the late 1940s and shipped to Woomera, where it was re-erected and reopened in the early 1950s at Evetts Field. The main control tower at Woomera aerodrome was constructed in 1953 and is still active. In 2016 the Department of Defence announced plans to replace the control cabin and an upgrade to all communications, electrical, mechanical and hydraulic services to
8460-439: Was increased to six with an A$ 115 million contract days after the first flight. As of 9 May 2023, the Australian government confirmed its commitment to funding 10 aircraft for the RAAF, not including three prototypes that will not be owned by the government or operated by the RAAF. This takes the government's total investment in the Loyal Wingman program to over A$ 600 million. The uncrewed platforms are scheduled to enter service with
8554-563: Was invented in Britain and Germany early in World War II as a means to hide aircraft from radar. In effect, chaff acted upon radio waves much as a smoke screen acted upon visible light. The U-boat U-480 may have been the first stealth submarine. It featured an anechoic tile rubber coating, one layer of which contained circular air pockets to defeat ASDIC sonar. Radar-absorbent paints and materials of rubber and semiconductor composites (codenames: Sumpf , Schornsteinfeger ) were used by
8648-725: Was proclaimed by Chief of Air Force Directive in January 2015. RAAF Base Woomera and the RAAF Woomera Test Range (WTR) are the two formations which make up the RAAF Woomera Range Complex (WRC). RAAF Base Woomera consists of two sectors, 'Base Sector North' which is a restricted access area and includes Camp Rapier. the entrance to the Woomera Test Range and the RAAF Woomera Airfield ( IATA : UMR , ICAO : YPWR ). 'Base Sector South'
8742-945: Was the first coastal defence and the French La Fayette-class frigate the first ocean-going stealth ship to enter service. Other examples are the Dutch De Zeven Provinciën class frigates, the Taiwanese Tuo Chiang stealth corvette , German Sachsen-class frigates , the Swedish Visby-class corvette , the USS San Antonio amphibious transport dock , and most modern warship designs. Dielectric composite materials are more transparent to radar, whereas electrically conductive materials such as metals and carbon fibers reflect electromagnetic energy incident on
8836-515: Was translated into English with the same title by the U.S. Air Force, Foreign Technology Division. The theory played a critical role in the design of American stealth-aircraft F-117 and B-2. Equations outlined in the paper quantified how a plane's shape would affect its detectability by radar, termed radar cross-section (RCS). At the time, the Soviet Union did not have supercomputer capacity to solve these equations for actual designs. This
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