Stealth Coatings for Aircraft
Modern stealth coatings manage electromagnetic energy across multiple spectral bands simultaneously. These materials must attenuate radar returns between 0.1-20 GHz while controlling thermal emissions in the 3-5μm and 8-12μm atmospheric windows. When subjected to operational conditions, these coatings experience temperatures ranging from -55°C to over 200°C, mechanical stress from supersonic airflow, and environmental exposure that can degrade their electromagnetic properties.
The fundamental engineering challenge lies in developing materials that can absorb or redirect electromagnetic energy without compromising the aircraft's aerodynamic performance, structural integrity, or maintainability in field conditions.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including multi-layered films with sequential infrared control layers, composite wave-absorbing coatings incorporating barium ferrite and nanometer ZrO2 ceramics, nanostructured surface treatments with integrated radar and infrared absorption properties, and dynamic camouflage systems that adapt to changing environmental conditions. These and other approaches demonstrate how materials science is addressing both electromagnetic signature management and operational durability requirements for modern military aircraft.
1. Composite Wave-Absorbing Coating with Barium Ferrite and Nanometer ZrO2 in Low-Temperature Glass Matrix
HANGZHOU SPANNER TECH CO LTD, 2023
A composite wave-absorbing stealth coating that enhances radar-absorbent materials (RAM) by incorporating barium ferrite and nanometer ZrO2 ceramic powders. The coating combines these materials with low-temperature glass powder for plasma-sprayed applications, enabling high-performance radar-absorbent surfaces with enhanced thermal stability and durability.
2. Multi-Layer Film with Sequential Infrared and Visible Spectrum Control Layers
UNIV ZHEJIANG, 2023
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.
3. Stealth Coating with Nanostructured Fillers and Hollow Microsphere Particles via Multi-Step Dispersion Process
AEROSPACE RES INST SPECIAL MATERIAL & PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, 2023
A lightweight, heat-resistant, and heat-insulating stealth coating comprising a combination of nanostructured fillers and hollow microsphere particles. The coating is prepared through a novel process that integrates these materials into a uniform dispersion through a multi-step dispersion process, followed by controlled drying and brushing. The resulting coating exhibits superior thermal resistance and wave-absorbing properties compared to conventional stealth coatings, with specific performance metrics including density, thermal conductivity, and wave absorption characteristics.
4. Multi-Layered Film Structure for Radar-Invisible Stealth Coating on Aircraft
SHANGHAI LUYI NEW ENERGY CO LTD, 2022
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.
5. Composite Coating with Nano-Structured Infrared Absorbing Surface and Transparent Adhesive Layer for Radar and Infrared Stealth
Chen Si, CHEN SI, 2022
A composite coating for aircraft surfaces that enhances stealth through both infrared and radar absorption. The coating consists of a nano-structured surface layer with integrated infrared absorption properties and a transparent adhesive layer that connects the surface layer to a light-absorbing paint finish. This dual-layer design enables both infrared absorption and radar absorption, providing comprehensive stealth protection against detection by radar and infrared sensors.
6. Stealth Aircraft Carrier with Dual-Layered Radar-Absorbent and Acoustic Protection Coating System
WEIHUA CAO, 2022
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.
7. Three-Dimensional Diffuse Reflection and Wave-Absorbing Coating with Polyurethane Foam and Polyurea Layers
WEIHUA CAO, 2021
A three-dimensional diffuse reflection and wave-absorbing coating for aircraft stealth that combines the principles of planar stealth coatings with the advantages of three-dimensional wave absorption. The coating comprises a rigid polyurethane foam layer with integrated polyurea waterproof coatings, which provides both structural integrity and high-performance wave absorption. The polyurea layer generates electronic polarization through surface electronic polarization, enhancing the coating's radar-absorbent properties. This multi-layered approach enables a comprehensive solution for aircraft stealth that addresses both reflection reduction and wave absorption capabilities.
8. Radar-Absorbing Paint with Buckminsterfullerene-Infused Elastic Base
REMYA MADAN GOPAL, 2021
A novel radar-absorbing paint for military stealth technology that enables aircraft to evade detection by radar systems. The paint employs a unique composition of buckminsterfullerene particles with a specially designed elastic base, which provides enhanced radiation retention properties. The buckminsterfullerene particles are incorporated into a high-temperature, flame-resistant paint that maintains its structural integrity even at supersonic speeds. This paint achieves radar absorption while maintaining structural integrity, enabling aircraft to operate at low altitudes without being detected by radar systems.
9. Nanocomposite Coating with Unidirectional Electromagnetic Conductivity for Aircraft Surfaces
Chengdu Priest New Materials Co., Ltd., CHENGDU PRESSTER NEW MATERIAL CO LTD, 2021
Electromagnetic wave unidirectional conductive coating for aircraft surfaces that combines stealth radar-absorbing properties with electromagnetic wave transmission control. The coating comprises a surfactant-based dispersion of nanometer copper-zinc powders, nanometer ultrafine carbon black, and graphene, with an adhesion promoter and anti-settling agent. The dispersion is prepared through a surfactant-free dispersion process, followed by grinding to achieve a fineness below 25 microns. The dispersion is then formulated with a surfactant, anti-static agent, and adhesion promoter, and filtered and packaged for application on aircraft surfaces.
10. Stealth Coating with Reinforced Fiber Matrix and Pressure-Resistant Hollow Microspheres
QINGDAO AIR++ NEW MATERIALS CO LTD, 2020
A stealth coating for aircraft surfaces that combines high-temperature thermal insulation with full-frequency wave absorption. The coating comprises a reinforced chopped fiber matrix, pressure-resistant hollow microspheres, and a wave-absorbing agent. The reinforced fiber matrix provides excellent thermal insulation, while the pressure-resistant hollow microspheres enhance wave absorption at frequencies above 1 GHz. The wave-absorbing agent further enhances the coating's radar-absorbing properties. This integrated coating enables aircraft surfaces to achieve both thermal protection and radar stealth capabilities.
11. Multi-Band Stealth Coating with Hybrid Nanomaterial System in Cross-Linked Polyurethane Matrix
NANJING U-VALLEY NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
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.
12. Method for Fabricating Stealth Coatings Using Integrated Nano-Absorbent and Conventional Aircraft Coatings
NANJING U-VALLEY NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
A method for preparing stealth coatings for aircraft that addresses conventional limitations in radar-absorbent materials (RAM). The method enables the creation of high-performance, low-weight stealth coatings through the integration of advanced nano-absorbent materials with conventional aircraft coatings. The nano-absorbent components provide exceptional radar-absorbance characteristics while maintaining superior durability and weather resistance compared to traditional RAM formulations. This integrated approach enables the development of ultra-lightweight, high-performance stealth coatings that meet the stringent requirements of modern aircraft applications.
13. Infrared Stealth Coating Method with British Powder and Zinc Acetate Filler System
NANJING U VALLEY NEW MATERIAL TECH CO LTD, 2019
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.
14. Method for Preparing Stealth Coatings Using Nano-Absorbent Coating System with Inorganic Nano-Materials and Organic Polymers
NANJING U-VALLEY NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
A method for preparing stealth coatings that addresses common challenges in aerospace applications such as moisture, salt spray, high temperature, and mildew resistance. The method employs a nano-absorbent coating comprising inorganic nano-materials and organic polymer materials, where the nano-materials are precisely controlled to achieve optimal absorption performance. This nano-absorbent coating system enables the creation of stealth coatings that maintain their performance characteristics across a wide range of environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and humidity levels, while maintaining their radar-absorbent properties.
15. Aircraft with Dual-Layer Structure Incorporating Transparent Outer Surface and Reflective Inner Coating
SHCHUKIN ANTON ALEXANDROVICH, 2018
Aircraft design that integrates stealth features with optimal radiation protection. The aircraft features a dual-profile design where the outer surface is made of a transparent material, while the inner surface is coated with a reflective material. This dual-layer design ensures both aerodynamic performance and radiation protection, with the transparent outer surface providing aerodynamic advantages and the reflective inner surface providing effective radiation shielding.
16. Stealth Coating for Aircraft with Electromagnetic and Acoustic Wave Absorption Comprising Acrylic Resin Matrix with Nickel and Zinc-Based Additives
NANJING YOUGU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE CO LTD, 2017
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.
17. Stealth Coating Comprising Hydroxy Acrylic Resin Matrix with Multi-Component Electromagnetic Absorption
NANJING YOUGU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE CO LTD, 2017
A stealth coating for aircraft that combines broadband electromagnetic absorption with multi-band functionality. The coating comprises a matrix of hydroxy acrylic resin, nitrile rubber, polypropylene emulsion, and dispersant, with added components like zinc oxide, chromium oxide, and calcium oxide. The matrix is formulated with a specific ratio of these components to achieve optimal absorption and reflectivity characteristics. The coating is prepared through a multi-step process involving polymerization, thermal processing, and dispersion, resulting in a material with enhanced broadband absorption and multi-band functionality.
18. Nanostructured Polymer Matrix Coating with Inorganic Particles for Electromagnetic Absorption
NANJING YOUGU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE CO LTD, 2017
A water-based stealth coating for aircraft that achieves high absorbing performance through a novel nanostructured polymer matrix. The coating combines a polymer matrix with nanostructured inorganic particles to create a broadband absorbing material that covers electromagnetic spectrum frequencies from radar to infrared. The nanostructured particles enhance absorption while maintaining low surface density and high mechanical properties. This coating achieves superior radar-absorbing performance compared to traditional water-based coatings while maintaining the advantages of water-based formulations.
19. Multilayer High-Temperature Absorbing Coating with Thermal Insulation and Wave Absorption Layers
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, 2017
A high-temperature absorbing coating with a multilayer structure that maintains wave absorption performance in extreme environments. The coating comprises a substrate layer, a thermal insulation layer on the surface, and an absorbing layer. The thermal insulation layer prevents temperature fluctuations, while the absorbing layer ensures wave absorption properties. This multilayer design enables continuous operation in high-temperature conditions, enabling radar stealth applications where conventional coatings fail.
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