geekosystem

Though there's currently some discussion ongoing about the prototype's official designation, what's certain is that China's definitely working on yet another stealth jet. Supposedly built by Shenyang, a rival aerospace company of the J-20 designer Chengdu, the jet features the number 31001 blazoned across it. It's for this reason it's most likely the J-31, not the J-21, though it's definitely called what translates to the Falcon Eagle.

Paleontologists at the University of Alberta have found evidence that a feathered, but flightless raptor-like dinosaur preyed on ancient birds. Three fossils of Confuciusornis sanctus, a primitive bird-like creature, were found in the fossilized abdomens of a pair of Sinocalliopteryx gigas -- a relative of T-Rex that was about the size of a large wolf. It's the first time a predatory dinosaur has been found dining on avian fare, and a reminder that while battles between titans like allosaurus and stegosaurus may dominate our imaginations, the majority of dinosaur-on-dinosaur violence probably looked familiar to anyone who has watched a modern predator stalk prey in a nature documentary. Except it would be with dinosaurs, and thus a billion times cooler.

The role of stealth aircraft has been a touchy subject ever since the F-117 Nighthawk was unveiled to the public in 1988. Stealth technology allows missions that might not have been possible before, but it also requires a huge investment and reliance on sometimes finicky technology. In his report with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank, Barry Watts points out that stealth aircraft make up a relatively small fraction of the U.S. fighter and bomber fleets -- some 5.5%. With so small an investment, it begs the question of whether stealth aircraft can outpace the advances being made in detection technology. The threats against stealth aircraft are far more sophisticated than they were 13 years ago. Watts discusses the use of longer-wavelength radar systems that take advantage of UHF and VHF radars. Because these are longer wavelength systems, the radar cross section of even stealthy airplanes will appear much larger. There are many technical and logistical hurtles to overcome, but Watts postulates that fully digital active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs) could soon be a real threat. One of the most intriguing anti-stealth technologies is the VERA-E, which from Watts' description sounds like a crowd sourcing approach to radar defense.

A Chinese research team from Southeast University in Nanjing have announced that they have found a way to change the way radar waves interact with an object. Researchers Wei Xiang Jiang and Tie Jun Cui used advanced metamaterials, sometimes used to guide light in unique ways, to similarly guide radio waves, thus changing how the object appeared in a radar scan. The New Scientist explains the experiment:

Copper conducts electricity well and reflects incoming radio waves, giving it a bright radar signature. To alter this behaviour, the team built a device made of 11 concentric rings of circuit boards etched with small metal-lined channels that prevent electromagnetic waves reflecting away. Instead, they guide the waves in a direction that the researchers choose specifically to make the hidden object appear to have different electrical properties.

Many of you are probably saying, "so what?" Admittedly, it's not very exciting in and of itself that some guys were able to make copper look like porcelain to radar. But then one of the researchers says the magic words that will make your ears prick up.

Similar illusion devices could eventually be used for stealth technology: for example, to "convert the radar image of an aircraft into a flying bird", Cui says.

There's the payoff.

Aeronautics giant Northrop Grumman has announced the successful first flight of their stealthy X-47B unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UACV) on Februay 4th at Edwards Airforce Base in California. For the Airforce, and Northrop Grumman, this is a major step forward as they look to deliver an aircraft capable of aircraft carrier-based autonomous take, off landing, and in-flight refueling. After completing it's 29 minute flight this past week, the aircraft will undergo more testing before beginning carrier trials in 2013. Though aerial drones are, for the most part, well understood by the general public, the X-47B is unique amongst the drones that have made the headlines thus far.

Stealth planes are so expensive these days, what's a spy to do? You can't just fly into enemy territory because now the enemies all have those damn radar devices that will go beep boop whenever you get too close, ruining your intricately planned diamond heist. Well for the low low price of an undisclosed amount that's sure to be less than the price of a plane, you can (mostly) escape all those radar woes with a shiny new coat of paint. Nanoflight, an Israel-based nanotech company, has just finished trials on a special paint that, when applied to your plane, missile, airship, or other method of espionage transport, makes it nearly undetectable by radar. Emphasis on the "nearly." This will not make it impossible for your spy plane to be detected, but it will certainly make it much more difficult for those trying to pinpoint your location. And even if the radar does find you, the paint will make it appear that your vehicle is some benign glitch or perhaps a giant bird, not a hostile craft.