Türkiye-based Kürşat Stealth is working on a more practical radar absorbent coating that can be used for a variety of platforms, including lighter UAVs.
Kürşat Stealth, a Türkiye-based firm, stated that it has come close to field testing of its KÜRŞAT 3.0 RAM coating employing an alternative formula. The nano-material paint with an undisclosed formula is aimed against S-band radars, which are widely used as searching radars for air defence systems or early warning radars due to their longer wavelength. S-band spans frequencies between 2 GHz and 4 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Tests against the lower half of S-band and the higher end of L-band (1.8-2.7 GHz) were performed at Pamukkale University of Türkiye, showing nearly 45 dB of signature reduction at 2.28 GHz (About 0.003% of the original return). The rest of the data from the test shows an average reduction of 10 dB, translating to ten times lower signature between 1.8-2.2 GHz and 2.4-2.7 GHz.
When it comes to practicality, the coating is applied once, virtually without need for replacement due to the adhesivity. The thin coating layer measured as 0.9 mm also reduces the weight burden (Density of and has minimal effect on the aerodynamics.
Considering the lowered weight and aerodynamic burden with a thinner layer and one-time application, the coating could allow reduced observability for lighter platforms like tactical UAVs or even long-range kamikaze UAVs against enemy early warning radars. The advantages could be reinforced with new designs employing geometrical optimisations to reduce radar wave returns.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
