Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!cica!gatech!amdcad!military
From: gt0818a%prism@gatech.edu (Paul E. Robichaux)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Learning in War
Message-ID: <27334@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Date: 19 Sep 89 06:34:45 GMT
References: <27299@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 31
Approved: military@amdcad.amd.com



From: gt0818a%prism@gatech.edu (Paul E. Robichaux)

Stealth aircraft (i.e. the F-117A, B-2, and forthcoming ATA) depend on
their "invisibility" and reduced electromagnetic signatures to accomplish
their mission. Reduced radar cross-section, IR emission, and active emissions
help to accomplish this, but, as with all design objectives, there's a trade-
off made between being "low-observable" and being (manuverable/fast/able to see
/pick your own.).

One good way to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) is to fair the cockpit inside
the fuselage. Unfortunately, this leads to reduced visibility and spotting
potential. For these aircraft, designed for specific, limited missions
(i.e. operating in places where it's critical to not be seen *at all*),
invisibility is the most important design factor. All other design decisions
were made with that in mind (thus the F-117A's slow speed and the B-2's
high cost.)

Note that even "stealth fighters" (i.e. the ATF, F-117A) depend on being
unseen to accomplish their mission. They are *not* air superiority fighters,
so they must depend on friendly air cover, low signature emissions, and
good weaponry to stay alive.



-- 
Paul E. Robichaux                  |"Collateral damage is the number of women
Georgia Institute of Technology    | and children you kill when attempting to do
GT PO Box 30818; Atlanta, GA 30332 | something else."- Cap Weinberger.
Internet: gt0818a@prism.gatech.edu |   All opinions in this message are mine.