Aircraft Recognition Advanced (ARA)

IntroductionCCPL Smallwood – 111SQN

Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:• Describe stealth technology.• Identify, using WETFUS, current stealth technology

aircraft.• The need for stealth in high risk environments.

Knowledge on aircraft recognition teaches:• How to recognise aircraft types and nation of origin.• Capabilities of the aircraft.

Stealth Technology

• Definition:“The use of advanced design and specialised materials to make an aircraft difficult or even

impossible to detect.”

Stealth Technology

• Aircraft stealth:– Visual (eyes)– Acoustic (sound)– Infrared (heat)– Radar (long-range)

How does radar see?• Imagine a chrome plated plane.

• If you can see yourself or near you, that’s a radar return.

Stealth Aircraft – F-35 Lightning II

Wings: Delta, sweeping trailing edge.

Engines: Single afterburning turbofan engine + optional mechanical lift-fan.

Tailplane: Outward canted dual fins.

Fuselage: Cigar shaped.

Undercarriage: Retractable tricycle gears.

Special: Optional rotating rear nozzle and lift-fan assembly for short take-offs and vertical landings, twin bomb bays.

Stealth Aircraft – F-35 Lightning II

Fuselage: Cigar shaped.

Undercarriage: Retractable tricycle gears.

Special: Optional rotating rear nozzle and lift-fan assembly for short take-offs and vertical landings, twin bomb bays.

Stealth Aircraft – F-35 Lightning II

The Need For Stealth

• Principles of air combat:

– Detection

– Targeting

– Engaging

– Evasion

The Need For Stealth• Principles of air combat:

– Detection

– Targeting

– Engaging

– Evasion

The Need For Stealth

Questions?

Summary

In this lesson, we have learned:• The definition of stealth technology.• How to identify current stealth aircraft via

WETFUS.• The need for stealth in high risk environments.

Next Lesson

• Aircraft Recognition Advanced 1-2:–The implications of Over-The-

Horizon radar against stealth aircraft.