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:
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Stealth aircraft minimise radar cross-section using shaping and Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) like iron-ball paint (1 correct). They can be detected by low-frequency radars (VHF/UHF), bistatic and over-the-horizon systems that exploit resonance and Rayleigh scattering at specific frequencies (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: metamaterials in stealth are designed to absorb or guide electromagnetic waves around the object (cloaking), reducing scattering and reflection, not increasing it. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: INS Tamal: Indian Navy’s Newest Stealth Frigate — Complete Guide.