LO Principles Flashcards

1
Q

Objective of stealth

A

Increase survivability by REDUCING THE PROBABILITY OF DETECTION and exposure to engagement by threat system

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2
Q

Describe active signature/ examples

A

ALL THE OBSERVABLE EMISSIONS FROM AN AIRCRAFT

  • RF Signals: comm, navigation, radar
  • Acoustic: engine noise, prop noise
  • Infrared: engine exhaust, skin temp
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3
Q

Describe passive signature/examples

A

ALL THE OBSERVABLE SIGNALS FROM AN AIRCRAFT RESULTING FROM EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION

  • EO/Visual
  • EM (radar)
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4
Q

Countering RF Active Signature Collectors:

Counter threat data collectors with ____________ designs.

A

Low Probability of Intercept (LPI)

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5
Q

Acoustic Signature Reduction: _________ are the primary source of noise

A

Engines

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6
Q

Radar signature is dominated by………

A

Shape

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7
Q

Why is RCS the most critical signature of most aircraft?

A

Radar provides all weather, long range detection capability (early warning)

Radar provide target range, azimuth, and velocity data (target tracking)

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8
Q

Stealth is enhanced by …. (3)

A
  • Forcing Threats to use active sensors sparingly
  • Using intel data to minimize onboard active and passive sensor exposure
  • Use tactics that combine w/ order of battle as well as man made environment
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9
Q

Define RCS

A

RADAR SIGNATURE IS EXPRESSED AS AIRCRAFT RCS.

  • Amount of energy scattered back to radar by a target
  • Measure of power expressed as dBsm
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10
Q

Explain the factors that determine RCS size

A

Target Aircraft Factors: Azimuth, Elevation

Viewing Radar Factors: Frequency, Polarization

*** Vertically polarized waves generate significant return from wing TRAILING EDGES; Horizontally –> wing LEADING EDGES.

*** To reduce detection range by half (3 dB), the RCS must be reduced by 16

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11
Q

List 4 basic methods to make an aircraft stealthy

A

SHAPING (most important)

Absorption

Cancellation

Transparencies

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12
Q

Describe shaping

A

Reflect radar energy into any direction other than back to the radar site.

***AIRCRAFT SHAPING TO BOUNCE ENERGY IN SPIKES***

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13
Q

Describe absorption

A

Utilize RAM to turn radar energy into heat

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14
Q

Describe cancellation

A

Actively or passively reflected radar waves add together to cancel each other out

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15
Q

Describe transparencies

A

Allow radar energy to pass thru the material w/ minimal reduction in energy or change in wave characteristics

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16
Q

Describe faceted shaping

A

Orient flat surfaces to deflect radar energy away from threat radar

example: F117

17
Q

Describe compound curve

A

Replace straight edges with curved edges to reflect less radar energy towards threat radar

Example: B2

18
Q

Describe planform alignment

A

Return a radar signal in a very specific direction away from the radar emitter (all in the same alignment)

Example: F22

19
Q

Goals of radar absorption materials

A
  • Reduce specular and multibounce reflections
  • Reduce energy diffracted from trailing edges or discontinuities by absorbing energy as the wave travels along the surface
20
Q

List types of absorbers

A
  • Resonent absorber (specific frequency)
  • Nonresonant absorber (range of frequencies)
21
Q

Characteristics of E-RAM

A

Resonant, causes waves to cancel each other out

  • Narrowband
  • Thick, but light
22
Q

Characteristics of MagRAM

A

Nonresonant, coating with ferromagnetic materials

  • Broadband
  • Thin, but heavy
23
Q

Characteristics of large volume RAS

A

Nonresonant, radar absorbant structure

  • Broadband
  • Thick, but light
24
Q

How does the aircraft surface breaks and gaps affect total RCS

A

Residual reflections are caused by surface discontinuities, more significant with higher frequencies.

Reflections reduced by:

  • Coating aircraft with RAM
  • Filling gaps with RAM
25
Engine inlet design methods used to reduce RCS
- Screen grids - Buried engines - Intakes on top
26
Canopy design methods used to reduce RCS
- Made of radar absorbing materials with a metallic coating - Smoothly blended into aircraft - Shape deflects radar away
27
Other considerations/methods used to reduce RCS
- Antennas - Windows for sensors - Air data sensors - Access doors - External stores
28
List 4 basic systems used to counter stealth
- Low freq radar - High freq radar - Bi/multi static radar - Passive coherent radar
29
2 limitations of low freq radar
- Few frequencies available and heavy clutter - Poor range resolution
30
2 limitations of high freq radar
- Short range - Atmospheric attenuation
31
2 limitations with bi/multistatic radar
- Synchronization - Widebeam antenna or long scan time
32
2 limitations of coherent radar
- Reliance on third party illuminators - Azimuth/range only "Listening to white noise... then aircraft comes along and disrupts the noise"
33
Discuss mx practices that assure LO properties
- Mx tracking records - Visual inspections - Mechanical Verification - Material reflective measurements - True RCS measurements - Diagnostic imaging - Special Facilities
34
Discuss elements that contribute to cost of stealth
- Cost per flying hr - Acquisition cost - Infrastructure cost (security, support, etc...) - Inspection cost - Personnel cost
35
What is the value of stealth
- provides a method of breaking the kill chain GREATER SURVIVABILITY EQUALS REDUCED RISK OF KILL CHAIN BEING COMPLETED.
36
Discuss limitations of stealth
- Operating cost - Limited number of assets - Complex MSN Planning - Lacks flexibility - Threats