World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Least Detectable Non-stealth Fighter

ArmchairGeneral · 06-23-2007, 01:09 AM

Rather odd poll. Radar cross section isn't really a matter of opinion. Anyhow, size has very little to do with stealth. The B-2 is far more stealthy than the F-117, and much larger. Composites, while less reflective to radar than metal, are not truly "stealthy" materials. You need RAM on reflective surfaces, and you need to reduce those surfaces as much as possible.

F/A-18E has a very reduced radar cross section. Typhoon and Rafale probably have a bit too. IIRC, the Rafale is supposed to have an extremely capable jamming system, too.

06-23-2007, 01:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
ArmchairGeneral Devil's Advocate *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: The boonies of NC, USA. Posts: 2,883 Country:	Rather odd poll. Radar cross section isn't really a matter of opinion. Anyhow, size has very little to do with stealth. The B-2 is far more stealthy than the F-117, and much larger. Composites, while less reflective to radar than metal, are not truly "stealthy" materials. You need RAM on reflective surfaces, and you need to reduce those surfaces as much as possible. F/A-18E has a very reduced radar cross section. Typhoon and Rafale probably have a bit too. IIRC, the Rafale is supposed to have an extremely capable jamming system, too. __________________ "Apocalyptic thought is curiously pleasurable." -Theodore Dalrymple Last edited by ArmchairGeneral : 06-23-2007 at 01:13 AM.