Methods and means of reducing the radar signature of medium- and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles in the meter range.

Purpose. The technology is aimed at solving problems of security and defense capability of Ukraine and includes a comprehensive solution to the problem of reducing the radar signature of medium- and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) containing resonant (compared to the probing wavelength) structural elements, while ensuring the necessary aerodynamic characteristics of the UAV using new methods (having greater capabilities and better accuracy compared to well-known analogues).

Specifications.

  1. A package of application programs for calculating the characteristics of secondary radiation from UAVs containing metal, carbon fiber and dielectric structural elements that have resonant dimensions when probing in the meter and decimeter wavelength ranges.
  2. Projects of three UAVs with a reduced level of radar signature.
  3. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the characteristics of secondary radiation of existing UAVs of various designs in the meter, decimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges, two orthogonal polarizations of the probing wave and at different angles of the UAV.
  4. Practical recommendations for reducing the radar signature of objects of resonant dimensions, in particular, long- and medium-range UAVs in the meter and decimeter wavelength ranges.

Application area. Aircraft manufacturing, radio engineering industry, Defense-industrial complex.

Advantages. To mathematically model the radar scattering characteristics of long- and medium-range UAVs in the meter and decimeter wavelength ranges, the well-known IP magnetic field and IP Muller system were used to simulate scattering by metal and dielectric structural elements, respectively. In both cases, IPs are discretized using interpolation methods, which have certain advantages over MoM-like projection methods. The set of proposed algorithms for integrating IP kernels, methods for identifying kernel features, and a method for selecting a sampling interval in which current density nodes are generated in proportion to the radii of curvature of the facet allows for rational use of the necessary computer memory and time resources. The developed algorithms are especially economical and effective if the UAV design elements have small radii of curvature and are electrically thin, such as the propulsion system, dielectric wings, stabilizers and propeller.

Technical and economic effect. The introduction of technology will reduce the visibility of medium- and long-range UAVs to enemy radars operating in the meter range or will reduce the quality of their detection and tracking during reconnaissance or other combat missions. The result of the development will be a reduction in UAV losses (direct economic effect), an increase in the likelihood of completing a combat mission (if the enemy does not find the UAV, he does not counteract, including without using additional camouflage of his troops).

Description. A package of application programs (special mathematical software) has been developed to calculate the characteristics of secondary radiation from UAVs containing metal, carbon fiber and dielectric structural elements, as well as resonant dimensions during sounding in the meter and decimeter wavelength ranges. Design options for three UAVs with a reduced level of radar signature are proposed. To calculate the characteristics of secondary radiation, digital models of the UAV surfaces under consideration were created. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the characteristics of secondary radiation from UAVs of various designs in the meter, decimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges, two orthogonal polarizations of the probing wave and at different angles of inclination of the UAV were obtained. Practical recommendations have been developed to reduce the radar signature of objects of resonant dimensions, in particular, long- and medium-range UAVs in the meter and decimeter wavelength ranges.

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