Analysis on Infrared Stealth Performance of Metal Nano-coating on Radome Surface

Abstract

Infrared stealth technology used in aircraft is applied to reduce the infrared signal by controlling surface temperature and emissivity using internal heat sink, low emissivity material or metamaterial. However, there is one part of the aircraft where the use of this technology is limited, and that is the radome. Especially, radome should have transmittance for the specific radio frequency, therefore, common stealth technology such as emissivity control surfaces cannot be applied to radome surface. In this study, we developed metal nano-coating for infrared stealth which is applicable to radome surface. We designed slot-type pattern for frequency selective transmission in X-band, and also controlled thickness of metal nano-coating for long wavelength infrared emissivity control. As a result, our infrared stealth surface for radome has 93.2 % transmittance in X-band and various infrared emissivities from 0.17 to 0.57 according to nano-coatings thickness. Also, we analyzed infrared signature of radome through numerical simulation, and finally reduced contrast radiant intensity by 97.57 % compared to polyurethane surface.