Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures

As the core combat force for gaining air superiority, fighter aircraft directly influence the course and outcome of modern warfare. To address the integrated operational mode of reconnaissance, command, control and strike under the development of optoelectronics and information technology, and impro...

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Main Authors: Chenglong Guan, Sihang Su, Bing Wang, Jianfeng Zhong, Junhao Chen, Fuwei Sun, Lihua Zhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Materials & Design
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003119
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author Chenglong Guan
Sihang Su
Bing Wang
Jianfeng Zhong
Junhao Chen
Fuwei Sun
Lihua Zhan
author_facet Chenglong Guan
Sihang Su
Bing Wang
Jianfeng Zhong
Junhao Chen
Fuwei Sun
Lihua Zhan
author_sort Chenglong Guan
collection DOAJ
description As the core combat force for gaining air superiority, fighter aircraft directly influence the course and outcome of modern warfare. To address the integrated operational mode of reconnaissance, command, control and strike under the development of optoelectronics and information technology, and improve the battlefield survivability and combat effectiveness, electromagnetic stealth performance has become a key feature for next-generation combat aircraft. On the basis of rational aerodynamic shaping to minimize the radar cross-section, the application of electromagnetic absorbing technology plays a pivotal role in further enhancing the stealth performance. In this paper, the research progress of electromagnetic absorbing technology is summarized in light of the demand for the development of high-performance collaborative combat capabilities for military fighters. Focusing on the most revolutionary direction-the electromagnetic absorbing structure, the challenges associated with its maneuverability, stealth, and operational applicability are analyzed. Furthermore, from the perspectives of material selection, structural design, and process optimization, the paper systematically discusses ways to enhance the overall performance of electromagnetic absorbing structures and offers recommendations for forthcoming research directions.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 0264-1275
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Materials & Design
spelling doaj-art-5728832b4f3040ada1b495c58f930a392025-08-20T03:55:22ZengElsevierMaterials & Design0264-12752025-05-0125311389110.1016/j.matdes.2025.113891Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structuresChenglong Guan0Sihang Su1Bing Wang2Jianfeng Zhong3Junhao Chen4Fuwei Sun5Lihua Zhan6Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Corresponding authors at: Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China.Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Institute of Precision Instrument and Intelligent Measurement & Control, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China; Corresponding authors at: Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Terahertz Functional Devices and Intelligent Sensing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, PR China.School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China; Corresponding author.As the core combat force for gaining air superiority, fighter aircraft directly influence the course and outcome of modern warfare. To address the integrated operational mode of reconnaissance, command, control and strike under the development of optoelectronics and information technology, and improve the battlefield survivability and combat effectiveness, electromagnetic stealth performance has become a key feature for next-generation combat aircraft. On the basis of rational aerodynamic shaping to minimize the radar cross-section, the application of electromagnetic absorbing technology plays a pivotal role in further enhancing the stealth performance. In this paper, the research progress of electromagnetic absorbing technology is summarized in light of the demand for the development of high-performance collaborative combat capabilities for military fighters. Focusing on the most revolutionary direction-the electromagnetic absorbing structure, the challenges associated with its maneuverability, stealth, and operational applicability are analyzed. Furthermore, from the perspectives of material selection, structural design, and process optimization, the paper systematically discusses ways to enhance the overall performance of electromagnetic absorbing structures and offers recommendations for forthcoming research directions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003119Electromagnetic stealthWave-absorbing structuresMaterial selectionStructural design
spellingShingle Chenglong Guan
Sihang Su
Bing Wang
Jianfeng Zhong
Junhao Chen
Fuwei Sun
Lihua Zhan
Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
Materials & Design
Electromagnetic stealth
Wave-absorbing structures
Material selection
Structural design
title Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
title_full Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
title_fullStr Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
title_full_unstemmed Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
title_short Electromagnetic stealth technology: A review of wave-absorbing structures
title_sort electromagnetic stealth technology a review of wave absorbing structures
topic Electromagnetic stealth
Wave-absorbing structures
Material selection
Structural design
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003119
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AT jianfengzhong electromagneticstealthtechnologyareviewofwaveabsorbingstructures
AT junhaochen electromagneticstealthtechnologyareviewofwaveabsorbingstructures
AT fuweisun electromagneticstealthtechnologyareviewofwaveabsorbingstructures
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