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The unusual faceted geometry of the F-117A airframe is designed to scatter impinging microwave energy in any direction but that from where the energy arrived from. In addition, panel boundaries and surface details which could reflect toward the front of the aircraft are serrated to scatter energy to the sides of the aircraft. The engine inlets are covered with reflective mesh to hide the fan/compressor face and the cockpit canopy is plated with a conductive layer to hide the cockpit interior. The result is a radar cross section quoted at 1-10% the size of a medium sized bird.
Profile – Lockheed F-117A
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Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter
The angular F-117A is without doubt the oddest yet product of Kelly Johnson’s remarkable Skunk Works. It is however a milestone in tactical air weapon systems design, the full implications of which are still to be demonstrated.
Stealth technology is generally the least understood and least appreciated of the newer generation of technologies which are now proliferating. As a result many lay observers have indiscriminately criticised designs such as the F-117 and the larger B-2. Under closer analysis, however, most criticisms demonstrate their irrelevance, and as such in turn demonstrate the questionable credibility of the critics themselves. The F-117A and its newer cousins, the USAF B-2A and USN A-12A Avenger, are strictly functional in design and appearance and all reflect the modern theory of defence penetration. The modern air battle is nowadays as much an electronic and optical battle as it is a confrontation between armed aircraft and defences. Virtually every aspect of any individual engagement and any major battle is locked into electronic and optical systems, the radar and optical surveillance, fire control and guidance systems determine largely the capability of any offensive or defensive system.
This has understandably led to a situation where a substantial effort is expended on countermeasures and counter countermeasures. Jammers degrade every sensor and in turn every sensor will be adapted to resist various types of jammers. Some will be more effective, some less in their respective functions. Significantly though, all jamming involves emission of energy to defeat a hostile sensor, be it passive or active. Defeating a particular sensor but revealing your position to another in the process is of questionable usefulness; the proliferation of sensitive Electronic Support Measures and infra-red Search and Track Systems is slowly but surely increasing the detectability of conventional jammer equipped penetrators.
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