Stealth Coatings for Aircraft

A lightweight metamaterial absorber that can absorb a wide range of frequencies from 2-18 GHz for applications like radar stealth and electromagnetic interference mitigation. The absorber is made using a carbon-based conductive film on a foam substrate. The foam provides low density and the carbon film provides conductivity. The absorber has multiple layers of carbon film arrays on foam layers. The carbon film arrays are arranged in a specific pattern to create a metamaterial structure. This allows broadband absorption over multiple frequency bands. The foam also allows the absorber to have wide angle absorption without alignment issues.

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A lightning arrester for low-observable vehicles, particularly stealth aircraft, that integrates radar-absorbing structures (RAS) with lightning protection. The arrester features a refractory metal support structure with a high-thermal-stability alloy, such as tungsten, and a high-electrical-conductivity diverting structure, typically a copper alloy. The arrester is designed to penetrate RAS layers while maintaining RF transparency, and is surrounded by a magnetic radar absorber to minimize surface waves. The arrester's tapered design enables electrical connection to the vehicle's conductive structure while receiving lightning strikes.

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A radar-absorbing structure for air and space vehicles that combines impedance matching and destructive interference to effectively dampen electromagnetic waves. The structure comprises an aerodynamic surface, a resistive layer, and multiple films with electroactive polymers and graphene, which are cured together to provide both impedance matching and destructive interference properties. The structure can also incorporate sensors and a control unit to detect changes in the electroactive polymer films and transmit spoofing signals to the radar source.

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A coating material for aircraft surfaces that provides lightning protection while maintaining radar stealth capabilities. The material comprises a dielectric matrix with embedded two-dimensional flakes of a metallic or soft-magnetic material, specifically designed to maximize magnetic losses. The flakes are geometrically optimized with a thickness-to-diameter ratio of 1:3 or less, and are separated from each other or coated with an electrically non-conductive layer to prevent electrical conduction. This design enables efficient diversion of lightning currents without compromising radar absorption properties.

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A multi-layered resonant structure for absorbing electromagnetic radar energy on optically transparent surfaces, comprising thin conductive films sandwiched between quarter-wavelength thick lossy material layers. The conductive films have progressively increasing sheet resistances as they approach the base material, dissipating energy while the lossy layers cause destructive interference of the electromagnetic energy. The structure provides over 15 dB of energy absorption over a wide frequency range, enabling stealth applications on transparent surfaces such as windshields, canopies, and optical sensors.

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A non-invasive, high-performance infrared dye for stealth applications on metal surfaces. The dye operates in the 300 nm-25000 nm infrared spectrum and exhibits broad spectral absorption properties, enabling effective infrared radiation reduction. The dye is produced through a scalable, cost-effective process involving titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which are combined with a carrier solution to form a transparent, non-toxic dye. This dye can be applied to metal surfaces to achieve infrared radiation reduction while maintaining optical transparency.

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Preparing near-infrared absorption coatings with enhanced lubricant resistance through a novel modification of polyurethane (PU)/Sericite/Silane composite coatings. The modification involves incorporating KH550, a sericite-based coupling agent, into the PU/Sm2O3 composite system. This modification enables the formation of a denser, more compatible interface between the filler and the adhesive, while maintaining the high absorption properties of the Sm2O3 filler. The KH550 modification enables the creation of a more robust interface structure that enhances the coating's mechanical properties and resistance to environmental degradation, particularly in applications requiring high lubricant resistance.

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A multi-layer film for stealth and thermal management that enables comprehensive protection across multiple infrared and visible spectral bands. The film comprises a substrate, a mid-infrared selective emission layer, a short-wave infrared control layer, and a near-infrared control layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. This configuration enables effective infrared stealth while simultaneously addressing thermal management requirements through selective emission control and radiation dissipation.

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Infrared stealth coating method that addresses existing limitations in military applications. The method involves a novel combination of a specific filler and adhesive system, optimized for infrared detection applications. The filler system, comprising a combination of British powder and zinc acetate, enhances infrared stealth performance while maintaining superior leveling and wear resistance characteristics. This combination enables improved infrared detection capabilities compared to conventional stealth coatings.

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Glass fiber composite material for enhanced optical transmission and color-shifting properties. The composite incorporates glass fibers with intentionally added lead, cobalt, and nickel to achieve both improved light transmission and selective color modulation. The material can be formulated to provide both enhanced optical clarity and selective absorption of visible light, while also exhibiting selective absorption of infrared and ultraviolet radiation, enabling the creation of a stealthy optical camouflage system.

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A visible and infrared stealth element comprising a MXene layer, a semiconductor layer, and a dielectric layer, where the MXene layer has high electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, the semiconductor layer controls color and thermal radiation, and the dielectric layer has a low refractive index for efficient light transmission.

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This patent introduces a lightweight stealth coating built using a nano-carbon aerogel composed of graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and wave-absorbing agents. The structure delivers low density, low thermal conductivity, and strong broadband EM absorption. It withstands high-temperature exposure while maintaining thermal-insulation performance. The coating is designed for advanced stealth applications requiring both heat resistance and electromagnetic signature reduction.

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Stealth coating for military aircraft that achieves radar invisibility through a multi-layered film structure. The coating comprises a substrate coated with a vacuum-deposited laminate of multiple ultra-fine layers, each optimized for specific stealth functions. The layers are engineered to provide temperature resistance, wear resistance, low drag, and broadband radar absorption across visible and infrared spectrums. The coating combines the benefits of conventional stealth materials while overcoming their limitations through its unique multi-layered design.

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A multi-band stealth device that simultaneously counteracts infrared laser-guided, millimeter wave radar, and thermal infrared detection technologies. The device features a wavelength-selective absorption pattern layer that selectively transmits near-infrared light while absorbing mid- to far-infrared radiation, and a dual-band electromagnetic wave absorption layer that absorbs millimeter wave radar frequencies. The device's unique structure enables it to simultaneously achieve stealth against multiple detection technologies.

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A multi-functional stealth coating for aircraft that simultaneously absorbs and attenuates electromagnetic waves and sound waves, reducing reflection and scattering. The coating comprises a matrix of acrylic resin, polyurethane, and aqueous resin, with specific additives including nickel, isophorone diisocyanate, zinc chromate, triethanolamine, and zinc oxide. The coating achieves infrared reflectance and thermal control through its unique composition and processing, enabling effective stealth performance across multiple electromagnetic bands.

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A stealthy aircraft carrier design incorporating advanced radar-absorbent materials (RAM) with integrated acoustic protection. The carrier features a dual-layered surface coating system comprising a polyurethane foam layer and a graphene-based radiation-absorbing layer. This composite coating system provides both radar-absorbent and acoustic protection, enabling the carrier to evade detection while maintaining stable buoyancy and maneuverability. The system integrates a permanent floating airbag system for enhanced survivability in extreme environments.

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A multi-band stealth coating for aircraft that achieves both electromagnetic and acoustic stealth capabilities. The coating combines a hybrid nanomaterial system comprising a mixture of iron oxide nanoparticles and organic silicate with a cross-linked polyurethane matrix. The nanomaterials provide broadband absorption across electromagnetic and infrared frequencies, while the polyurethane matrix enhances mechanical properties and adhesion. The coating exhibits improved durability and corrosion resistance compared to traditional stealth coatings, enabling simultaneous electromagnetic and acoustic stealth performance.

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A dynamic camouflage system for aircraft and spacecraft that rapidly adapts its appearance through controlled manipulation of microscopic structure. The system employs an active coating with integrated, wavelength-dependent microscopic structures that can be precisely arranged to produce selective diffraction patterns. By varying the structure's arrangement, the system can dynamically change its appearance to evade detection, particularly in the infrared range. The system's control mechanism can be programmed to achieve specific camouflage patterns through electrical signals, enabling rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

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Aircraft cloaking system that enables adaptive camouflage through integrated electroluminescent paint technology. The system comprises cameras to detect background colors, power sources to activate the electroluminescent paint patterns, and a processor to coordinate the activation of the paint patterns in response to detected background colors. The processor enables the system to automatically adjust the color and luminescence of the paint patterns to match the detected background conditions, providing enhanced camouflage capabilities across various environments.

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Aircraft cloaking system that dynamically changes appearance to match its surroundings. The system uses electroluminescent paint patterns that can be powered independently to display a range of colors, and a camera-based color detection system to determine the optimal color scheme for the aircraft's environment. The system can be configured to blend in with various backgrounds, including sky, ground, and vegetation, and can also be used to enhance visibility in certain situations.

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Cloaking and deception of radar systems by using resonator arrays that can dynamically change the phase of the reflected radar signal. The resonator arrays are configured to provide a time-varying resonance frequency characterized by a linear temporal function. This allows compensating for the Doppler shift of the radar signal due to the object's motion, making it appear stationary to the radar. The resonator arrays collectively generate a phase shift between the incident and scattered radar waves when the resonance frequency varies over a range. By controlling the resonance frequency with a linear time dependence, the radar sees a phase shift that cancels out the Doppler shift. This cloaks the object from radar detection even though it reflects radar energy.

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A stealth aircraft ground maintenance system that enables continuous monitoring and repair of the aircraft's stealth coating throughout its operational life cycle. The system comprises an inflatable maintenance facility, a defect detection device, a repair cabin, and a performance evaluation system. The facility provides controlled environmental conditions for aircraft maintenance, while the defect detection device and repair cabin enable precise inspection and repair of the stealth coating. The system enables real-time monitoring of the aircraft's stealth performance and enables continuous maintenance operations without requiring the aircraft to return to a factory.

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