Russia’s Ruselectronics claims to have developed a new material capable of absorbing up to 95 percent of radar electromagnetic radiation.
The company’s Central Design Bureau of Special Radio Materials has developed the lightweight fiberglass material with a metal core to manufacture engine compressor blades.
Requires Less Maintenance
“The modern military aircraft engineering has faced the issue of development of a radar-absorbing structural material long ago,” general director Aleksey Dymovskikh said.
“The existing types of stealth aircraft coatings require regular restoration, while the lower-reflectivity fiberglass is maintenance-free,” he explained.
“Our prototypes have already successfully passed the required factory tests.”
US Stealth Technology More Advanced
US stealth technology is more advanced than Russian versions as the F-35 aircraft stealth coating requires less maintenance than the earlier Lockheed Martin F-117 and Northrop Grumman B-2, according to Flight Global.
Ruselectronics has not disclosed the aircraft intended for the material.
Moscow currently operates the Su-57 as its sole stealth aircraft, expecting to have a total of 22 by late 2024, according to state-owned TASS. Another Russian stealth fighter, the Su-75 Checkmate, is under-development.