Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ?
- Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.
- Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.
- Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. The primary goal of stealth technology is to minimize an object's Radar Cross-Section (RCS). This is achieved through:
- Geometric shaping — to deflect radar waves away from the source
- Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) — which absorb electromagnetic radar energy and dissipate it as heat
Statement 2 — Correct. Stealth objects are not completely invisible. RAM coatings are optimized to defeat high-frequency radars (X-band). However, low-frequency radars (VHF/UHF bands) can detect stealth objects as their longer wavelengths resonate with the aircraft's physical dimensions — though they lack resolution required for a missile lock.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Metamaterials in stealth applications are used to decrease/eliminate radar scattering — NOT increase it. They work by:
- Perfectly absorbing electromagnetic radiation, OR
- Bending and redirecting waves around the object (electromagnetic cloaking)
Increasing scattering would make the object more visible — defeating the very purpose of stealth.
Key Trick: Statement 3 reverses the function of metamaterials — a classic UPSC trap of replacing a correct word with its opposite.
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