Portugal is developing a graphene-based material that can significantly reduce the radar visibility of drones and military aircraft, which could provide Europe with an important position in the development of stealth technology.
The project is led by the company GTechPlasma, created from the Institute for Plasma and Nuclear Fusion at Lisbon’s Instituto Superior Técnico. The team has developed a system that uses plasma to produce high-quality graphene materials whose properties can be tailored for different purposes.
The current focus of the project is the development of coatings that absorb radar waves and other electromagnetic radiation. Instead of returning the emitted signal to the radar, these materials absorb part of the energy and thus reduce the radar signature of the object.
A graphene coating could reduce the radar signature of the F-16 to the level of a bird
According to the researchers’ estimates, the coating could reduce the radar reflection of the F-16 so much that it would look like a bird on the radar. This does not mean that the plane would literally become invisible, but that it would be significantly more difficult to detect, track and properly identify.
Such a capability provides a major advantage in military operations, as an adversary’s radar can detect the aircraft later than would be the case without the coating. The crew then gets more time to complete the task, while the air defense systems have a shorter reaction period.
Graphene is a layer of carbon atoms only one atom thick. GTechPlasma produces it from materials such as ethanol and methane, using plasma technology that allows structure to be controlled at the atomic level.
The company states that it can adjust the number of layers, composition and other properties of graphene materials according to the requirements of a specific application. Six different formulations of coatings for electromagnetic protection and “stealth” purposes have been developed.
Similar solutions are rare and under strict control. The researchers point out that the material used on the American F-35 aircraft is not available for export, which is why domestic European technology has a special strategic importance.
GTechPlasma currently produces about 40 milligrams of high-quality graphene per minute. The company plans to expand production with the help of industrial partner Plasmaphene, which will adapt the developed equipment to larger production capacities.
The first steps towards practical application have already been made. 260 grams of material for absorbing radar waves was delivered to the Portuguese drone manufacturer.
The material is currently produced in the form of a very light black powder, but the goal is to offer ready-made coatings and paints that can be applied directly to the surface of drones, aircraft and other equipment.
In addition to military applications, the same technology could be used for electromagnetic shielding, hydrogen storage, and separation of rare earth elements and uranium. However, the ability to reduce radar reflection is currently its most important and attractive application, writes EuroNews.