Imagine a silent watchdog, hovering in the deep skies, invisible yet can watch everything happening on the Earth. Floating in the stratosphere, beyond the reach of conventional radars and tracks fighter jets like the stealthy US-made F-35: the Chinese Stratospheric Airship scans the skies with a relentless gaze.
The Stratospheric Gaurd
China has reportedly developed a stratospheric surveillance airship capable of detecting fighter jets like American F-35s from an astonishing 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) away. The researchers analyzed the infrared signature of F-35s in simulated combat scenarios. Their findings show a potential vulnerability in America’s fifth-generation stealth technology.
The design of these airships enables them to operate at altitudes within the stratosphere and serve as high-altitude surveillance platforms. Their high position allows for a broader line of sight compared to ground-based radar systems. Furthermore, enhancing their ability to monitor vast distances of airspace. Also, this helps airships to detect and track aircraft with low radar cross-sections, such as the F-35.
The team found that the US-made fighter jet’s radar-absorbing coating and exterior cooled to an average of 7.85 degrees Celsius (46 Fahrenheit). This sweetened the jet’s capability to hide from the traditional detection methods. But its engine exhaust plume reached nearly 725 degrees Celsius (1340 Fahrenheit). At this phase, the stealth jet emitted mid-wave infrared radiation three orders of magnitude stronger than its airframe.
At the time of minimal atmospheric interference, researchers focused on the 2.8-4.3 micrometer wavelength range and deployed mercury-cadmium-telluride detectors and 300mm aperture telescopes. When the aircraft was viewed from the side or behind the autonomous airship hovering at 20km could spot an F-35’s rear thermal signature more than 1,800 KM away. However, the detection from the front was limited to 350 Kilometers only. The reason is due to the reduced heat in the front profile of the fighter jet.
Implications for Stealth Technology
These airships are also operated at the “sweet spot,” meaning closer than satellites. But higher than routine Awacs (airborne early warning and control) planes.
At the “sweet spot,” these airships were persistently able to monitor a large region. However, operating at this altitude remains complicated for logistics.
Also, the research team noted that the airship’s speed limitation, traveling at about 120 KMPH (75 MPH) could put them vulnerable to specialized interceptors putting aside their high altitude advantages.
The F-35 is famous for its stealth design, which minimizes its radar cross-section and enhances its survivability in challenged airspaces. However, the emergence of detection systems like China’s stratospheric airship challenges the invulnerability of such stealth technologies. If these airships can reliably detect stealth aircraft at such metaphorical ranges, it could necessitate a reevaluation of current stealth strategies and the development of countermeasures.
Way forward Stealth Airships
Unlike hypersonic weapons, stratospheric airships offer cost-effective and persistent surveillance for the democratization of high-altitude supervision. This development is part of a broader trend in which nations are investing in near-space technologies to counteract stealth capabilities. For instance, Chinese scientists have been exploring various methods to detect stealth aircraft, including the use of advanced radar systems and leveraging signals from satellite networks.
The development of China’s stratospheric airship marks a significant advancement in aerial surveillance technology. Its ability to detect stealth aircraft like the F-35 from unprecedented distances could reshape the dynamics of modern aerial warfare. There by bringing the intense heat to nations to innovate and adapt in the ever-evolving landscape of defense technologies.
