Plasma Based Radar Cross Section Reduction

This book presents a comprehensive review of plasma-based stealth, covering the basics, methods, parametric analysis, and challenges towards the realization of the idea. The concealment of aircraft from radar sources, or stealth, is achieved through shaping, radar absorbing coatings, engineered materials, or plasma, etc. Plasma-based stealth is a radar cross section (RCS) reduction technique associated with the reflection and absorption of incident electromagnetic (EM) waves by the plasma layer surrounding the structure. A plasma cloud covering the aircraft may give rise to other signatures such as thermal, acoustic, infrared, or visual. Thus it is a matter of concern that the RCS reduction by plasma enhances its detectability due to other signatures. This needs a careful approach towards the plasma generation and its EM wave interaction. The book starts with the basics of EM wave interactions with plasma, briefly discuss the methods used to analyze the propagation characteristics of plasma, and its generation. It presents the parametric analysis of propagation behaviour of plasma, and the challenges in the implementation of plasma-based stealth technology. This review serves as a starting point for the graduate and research students, scientists and engineers working in the area of low-observables and stealth technology.

The leading text and reference on radar cross section (RCS) theory and applications, this work presents a comparison of two radar signal strengths. One is the strength of the radar bean sweeping over a target, the other is the strength of the reflected echo senses by the receiver. This book shows how the RCS "gauge" can be predicted for theoretical objects.

This reference describes techniques for controlling the RCS of targets, provides analytical methods for estimating RCS, develops models for the design of low RCS targets and antennas, and discusses several RCS enhancement techniques.

This book discusses the active and passive radar cross section (RCS) estimation and techniques to examine the low observable aerospace platforms. It begins with the fundamentals of RCS, followed by the dielectric, magnetic and metamaterials parameters of the constituent materials and then explains various methods and the emerging trends followed in this area of study. The RCS estimation of phased array including the mutual coupling effect is also presented in detail in the book. The active RCS reduction is carefully touched upon through the performance of phased arrays, sidelobe cancellers and mitigation of multipath effect. Providing information on various adaptive algorithms like least mean square (LMS), recursive least square (RLS) and weighted least square algorithms, the authors also mention the recent developments in the area of embedded antennas, conformal load bearing antenna, metamaterials and frequency selective surface (FSS) based RCS reduction.

This book discusses the active and passive radar cross section estimation and techniques to examine the low observable aerospace platforms.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of radar cross section (RCS) reduction by means of the geometric control of discontinuities using serrated edges. Although the use of serrated edges for RCS reduction can be clearly seen on stealth aircraft such as the Northrop B-2, and was mentioned in several papers and references, not much data on the reduction magnitude, the associated geometry, or the design methodology are available in the open literature. Parameters of interest include the number of basic serration cells (triangles) required per wavelength, and the aspect ratio of the triangles that form the zig zags. An infinitely thin metallic plate is considered for the analysis. The RCS of such a plate with serrated edges is computed and compared against the RCS of a plate of the same sized without serrated edges. The infinitely thin assumption is valid if the wing of the aircraft, which is represented by the plate, is thin compared to the wavelength. The results obtained show significant reduction in RCS.

Technical plasmas have a wide range of industrial applications. The Encyclopedia of Plasma Technology covers all aspects of plasma technology from the fundamentals to a range of applications across a large number of industries and disciplines. Topics covered include nanotechnology, solar cell technology, biomedical and clinical applications, electronic materials, sustainability, and clean technologies. The book bridges materials science, industrial chemistry, physics, and engineering, making it a must have for researchers in industry and academia, as well as those working on application-oriented plasma technologies. Also Available Online This Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for researchers, students, and librarians, including: Citation tracking and alerts Active reference linking Saved searches and marked lists HTML and PDF format options Contact Taylor and Francis for more information or to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367; (E-mail) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062; (E-mail) [email protected]