From: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Subject: Skunk Works Digest V5 #734 Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu Precedence: Skunk Works Digest Saturday, 7 December 1996 Volume 05 : Number 734 In this issue: Re: F-117 Scale models Re: F-117 Scale models laser absorber material More on British Stealth Re: F-117 Models.... Re: laser absorber material British D notice Re: laser absorber material Sofia ccMail SMTPLINK Undeliverable Me Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility Re: laser absorber material Re[2]: laser absorber material Re: Re[2]: laser absorber material Re: F-117 Scale models Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility Re: laser absorber material See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the skunk-works or skunk-works-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mary Shafer Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 19:46:14 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: F-117 Scale models I wrote: > No one has mentioned the blow-up SR-71! Not very accurate but very > quickly assembled. I didn't mean a blow-up SR-71 (although I've got one of those, too), but a blow-up F-117. Please excuse the error. Regards, Mary Mary Shafer DoD #0362 KotFR shafer@ursa-major.spdcc.com URL http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/People/Shafer/mary.html Some days it don't come easy/And some days it don't come hard Some days it don't come at all/And these are the days that never end.... ------------------------------ From: blackbird@telis.org (Jon Price (PJ)) Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 02:54:51 GMT Subject: Re: F-117 Scale models On Wed, 4 Dec 96 14:49:19 PST, you wrote: >>Continuing the thread, here are some more skunky kits. Again, the=20 >>list is not complete, and I'll try to limit my descriptions to a=20 >>simple thumbs up or thumbs down. Maybe patrick or=20 >>others can expand on this list too. Some of these have probably been=20 >>re-released under different box #s or even by different manufacturers=20 >>at some point in time... aircraft designations are as the appear on=20 >>the box (i.e. TR-this, YF-that, etc.) OK, here goes: >> One very important omission. YF-12A by Testor in 1/48. Don't know the kit # but it has not been available in hobby shops for several Years. Features two open missle bays with missles. I am lucky to have one of these and to have had it signed by first flight pilot Jim Eastham. On the downside, it has suffered some earthquake damage, but is repairable. A really impressive kit. Jon >> >>U-2C by Testor 1/48 (#209) - thumbs down - reissue of the *old* Hawk >> molds, but the only U-2C in this scale... >> >>U-2C by Academy 1/72 (#1653) - thumbs UP! nice little kit... >> >>TR-1A / ER-2 by Testor 1/48 (#580) - thumbs up, definitely not from >> the old Hawk molds... include parts for a TR-1B two-seater, >> superpods, etc., NASA markings for ER-2 version >> >>YF-12A by Testor 1/72 (#697) - thumbs up, modified from Testor's #674 >> kit (see below), includes correct radome, IR chines, etc. May >> include weapon bays (ala mystery video) but can't remember... >> >>SR-71A/B by Testor 1/48 (#584) - thumbs up, large, impressive kit, >> includes parts for two-seater >> >>SR-71A by Hasegawa 1/72 (#1187) - thumbs UP! - best 1/72 kit available >> >>SR-71A by Hasegawa 1/72 (#K16X) - thumbs up, same as above, but >> now includes a "GT-21B" >> >>SR-71A by Academy 1/72 (#1642) - thumbs up, a ripoff of the excellent >> Hasegawa molds - even includes the same "GT-21B" >> >>SR-71A by Testor 1/72 (#674) - thumbs up, but not as nice as the >> Hasegawa kit, this one includes a "D-21"... >> >>SR-71A by Revell 1/72 (#4414) - definitely thumbs DOWN!, nolo accurate >> >>SR-71A by Monogram 1/110 (#1109) - oddball scale, snap-together kit, >> gear up on a little stand, makes a nice desktop model... >> >>SR-71A by LS 1/144 (#1065) - thumbs up, but very hard to find >> >>SR-71A by AMT/ERTL 1/144 (#8813) - thumbs up, reboxed LS molds (?) >> >>SR-71A by Hobbycraft 1/288 (#1014) - too small for any detail, >> might look nice as a Christmas ornament... :) >> >>YF-22 by Testor 1/32 (#569) - HUGE kit, you'd think that something >> this size would have *tons* of detail, but... caveat emptor >> >>YF-22 by DML 1/72 (#2508) - thumbs up, nice kit >> also see their YF-23 (#2507) >> >>YF-22 by Monogram 1/72 (#1154) - snap-together kit, gear up on=20 >> a little stand, makes a nice desktop model... >> >>YF-22 by Revell 1/72 (#4461) - rework of Monogram snap kit, now with >> gear, weapon bays, etc. >> >>YF-22 by Revell (Germany) 1/72 (#4314) - thumbs up, comp. to DML kit >> also see their YF-23 (#4326) >> >>YF-22 by Heller 1/72 (#???) - haven't seen this one... >> >>YF-22 by Testor 1/72 (#???) - haven't seen this one either... >> >>also: (not exactly skunky, but recently discussed...) >> >>XB-70A-1 by AMT/ERTL 1/72 (#8907) - thumbs up, much improved over=20 >> the now-extinct Aurora kit, *huge* kit, optional positions=20 >> for windscreen, wing tips (no shaker vanes, Andreas!) >> >> >>There is also a flying model rocket (Estes?) version of the SR-71, and >>there are some guys here locally (DFW) that have developed a large=20 >>rocket-boosted R/C glider kit of an SR-71. Others? >> >>There are also *numerous* kits available for the F-104... don't get me=20 >>started. :) >> >> >>------------------------------------- >>Greg Fieser 12/4/96 >>gregd@cambertx.com 2:49:19 PM >>------------------------------------- >> >> - -- ************************************************** Jon Price If only Naval Aviators flew SR-71's, I'd be happy. Just imagine. "O.K. 3 wire Blackbird"! A PROUD member of the Tailhook Association. I am NOT known for being politically correct. *************************************************** ------------------------------ From: Wei-Jen Su Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 05:11:25 -0500 (EST) Subject: laser absorber material Hello, remember that I asked a question a week about regarding if today's Stealth aircraft were capable to absorb laser-radar wavelenght... Well, since no one answer me, I recently found in one of these mail order catalog about a laser plate coating for your car (98% transparent) to absorb laser wavelenghts, minimizing laser acquisition from police laser speedometer! So, it is possible that today's Stealth aircraft is capable to absorb the laser-radar wavelength... any comments??? May the Force be with you Su Wei-Jen E-mails: wsu02@utopia.poly.edu wjs@webspan.net ------------------------------ From: John Burtenshaw Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 11:01:26 -0100 Subject: More on British Stealth Hi Following on from the discussion regarding British Triangles et al I am rposting this from another list for information (and comments). 1 A small 30ft black triangular craft has been seen by members of the public on the ground at WARTON (British Aerospace) 2 It is believed that it is a prototype UAV, designated HALO and can perform up to 9G turns. 3 It has been seen by numerous people in the Meols Cop, Banks and Hesketh Bank areas north of Southport. 4 Test flights are accompanied by a Tornado, callsign "Tarnish 3" 5 A D-Notice has been served on the BBC warning it NOT to report on Britain's Stealth program. 6 A larger triangular craft is in operation over Britain and has been seen at Boscombe Down. Notes for non-British readers. A D-Notice is legal request, originally meant for newspaper editors, asking organisations not to publish any stories that may endanger the nations security. It has been extended to TV and Radio broadcasters. There is a large fine and/or imprisonment if it is ignored. The D stands for Defence. It was described to me by a newspaper reporter like this, Quote - If I see a tank with square wheels and want to write an article on it I have to talk to my editor who checks to see if a D-notice exists, if it does the story gets spiked. Unfortunately the D-Notice system has been extended to cover things not directly connected with Defence topics such as MPs private lives on the spurious notion that it may give benefit to our potential enemies. It has become a convenient way of censoring the press at the same time maintaining the guise of a *free press*. Sometimes the public will see a D-Notice in action as a story appears which looks as if it will run and run but then suddenly disappears from the media -end quote. Boscombe Down is a test centre on a main road which allows spotters easy viewing of some parts of it. There are *no photography* signs at regular places and it is patrolled by Ministry of Defence Police officers who usually turn a blind eye to the activities of the spotters, except when the mystery aircraft (widely reported on this list) crashed there a few years ago who threatened the spotters with legal action if they did not leave the area immediately. The road was closed for several hours causing chaos to rush hour traffic. Britain being a small island has not got as many places to hide its "black" aircraft as the US has. The British Govt has had a long history of succesfully keeping its secrets away from public gaze (including the real costs of Defence projects) and although this maybe fanciful or inaccurate reporting, there maybe more than just a hint of truth in it. Regards John ------------------------------ From: John Stone Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 08:14:17 -0500 Subject: Re: F-117 Models.... Mary Shafer wrote: >> No one has mentioned the blow-up SR-71! Not very accurate but very >> quickly assembled. > >I didn't mean a blow-up SR-71 (although I've got one of those, too), but a >blow-up F-117. The gift shop at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patt used to have them (blow-up SR-71) and other aviation gift items....there phone is:513-256-MAIL(6245)(does anyone else hate these cutsey phone numbers!) Mon-Fri 9a-5p Eastern time. Best, John | / ^ \ ___|___ -(.)==<.>==(.)- --------o---((.))---o-------- SR-71 Blackbird U-2 Dragon Lady John Stone jstone@thepoint.net U-2 and SR-71 Web Page:http://www.thepoint.net/~jstone/blackbird.html ------------------------------ From: Edward_R._Hotchkiss@atlmug.org (Edward R. Hotchkiss) Date: 06 Dec 1996 14:30:54 GMT Subject: Re: laser absorber material Several years ago, Car & Driver did a test on cars as to how well they were seen by police lasers. The winner, a black thunderbird. They reduced its signature further by taping over the chrome. /Ed Hotchkiss/ ------------------------------ From: "L.Lesiak" Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 09:03:17 MDT Subject: British D notice Could some explain for us ignorant colonials who a D notice works? All I know about it is that it's a mechanism that HM's government uses to prevent reporting on selected issues. Cheers, Lech Lesiak ------------------------------ From: MiGEater1@aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 11:36:30 -0500 Subject: Re: laser absorber material Su Wei-Jen, A piece of clear matte plastic (which is what they claim will block 98% of the laser light) covering a highly reflective license plate cannot be compared to any kind of a coating you might apply to an aircraft. Catalogs like that are in the market to make quick money by selling you fantastic promises, not fantastic product. Although, I suppose you could fit a couple hundred license plate covers on your F-117 if you ever wanted to avoid a state trooper from catching you speeding down a highway. : ) Best, John Clark My employer knows not of what I speak... I don't even think they care. ------------------------------ From: David Lednicer Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 08:21:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Sofia I was suprised to see Project Sofia pop up in Andreas' list of Lockheed Ontario projects. This is a NASA/Ames program to fit a big IR telescope in a 747SP, to allow high altitude astromonical observations. When complete, this will replace the C-141 Kuiper telescope platform. About two years ago, I did a lot of S&C work on this program. The real challenge is that the IR telescope must be exposed to outside, so there will have to be a BIG hole cut in the side of the 747SP, and there is a real issue concerning flow quality in the cavity that results. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- David Lednicer | "Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics" Analytical Methods, Inc. | email: dave@amiwest.com 2133 152nd Ave NE | tel: (206) 643-9090 Redmond, WA 98052 USA | fax: (206) 746-1299 ------------------------------ From: "L.Lesiak" Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 11:18:55 MDT Subject: ccMail SMTPLINK Undeliverable Me Received: from coyote.ncr.disa.mil by MVS.AWP.COM (IBM MVS SMTP V3R1) with TCP; Fri, 06 Dec 96 10:13:08 MST Received: from fhu.disa.mil (fhu.disa.mil [164.117.224.109]) by coyote.ncr.disa.mil (8.7.3/DISA 8.7.3.01) with SMTP id KAA01527 for ; Fri, 6 Dec 1996 10:04:52 -0700 (MST) Received: from ccMail by fhu.disa.mil (SMTPLINK V2.11.01) id 9611068498.AA849896016; Fri, 06 Dec 96 10:13:36 GMT Date: Fri, 06 Dec 96 10:13:36 GMT From: smtpadmin@fhu.disa.mil (ccMail SMTPLINK) Message-Id: <9611068498.AA849896016@fhu.disa.mil> To: Subject: ccMail SMTPLINK Undeliverable Message User wittig is not defined Original text follows ---------------------------------------------- Received: from coyote.ncr.disa.mil by fhu.disa.mil (SMTPLINK V2.11.01) ; Fri, 06 Dec 96 10:13:30 GMT Return-Path: Received: from mail.orst.edu (mail.ORST.EDU [128.193.4.4]) by coyote.ncr.disa.mil (8.7.3/DISA 8.7.3.01) with ESMTP id KAA01524; Fri, 6 Dec 1996 10:04:42 -0700 (MST) Received: (from daemon@localhost) by mail.orst.edu (8.7.3/8.7.3) id IAA20787 for skunk-works-outgoing; Fri, 6 Dec 1996 08:13:55 -0800 (PST) Received: from MVS.AWP.COM (esaism [163.123.171.2]) by mail.orst.edu (8.7.3/8.7.3) with SMTP id IAA20782 for ; Fri, 6 Dec 1996 08:13:40 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199612061613.IAA20782@mail.orst.edu> Received: from AWPEMC.AWPEMC.AWP.COM by MVS.AWP.COM (IBM MVS SMTP V3R1) with BSMTP id 2470; Fri, 06 Dec 96 08:44:19 MST Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 09:03:17 MDT To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu From: "L.Lesiak" Subject: British D notice Sender: owner-skunk-works@mail.orst.edu Precedence: bulk Could some explain for us ignorant colonials who a D notice works? All I know about it is that it's a mechanism that HM's government uses to prevent reporting on selected issues. Cheers, Lech Lesiak ------------------------------ From: Mike.Mueller@jpl.nasa.gov (Mike Mueller) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 10:13:43 -0800 Subject: Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility >The Lockheed Skunk Works STAR, from November 22, 1996, (Vol. 6, No. 11), >lists the different programs of the Ontario, CA, facility, and the time when >they are supposed to be moved to Palmdale. I am familiar with most of those >programs, but a couple of them are new to me. I copied the list, and added a >small description (in my own words), and maybe someone can add to those >descriptions: > >January 1997 Quiet Knight (no idea, but probably C-130 related) > Sofia (no idea, but probably C-130 related) >April 1997 IRAD Programs (InfraRed Acquisition and Detection (?) > for the F-117A maybe ???) Lockheed uses the term IRAD for In-house Research and Development, R&D projects that are not customer funded. ------------------------------ From: freeman@netcom.com (Jay Reynolds Freeman) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 10:32:36 -0800 Subject: Re: laser absorber material Sorry to go low-tech on a skunky issue, but there are grades of black paint, notably those using powdered amorphous carbon ("lampblack") that do a pretty good job of absorbing all across the visible. That's why they're black. ------------------------------ From: gregweigold@pmsc.com (GREG WEIGOLD) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 13:33:54 -0500 Subject: Re[2]: laser absorber material ....but if you could cover your F-117 with a layer of plastic-like material that absorbed a high percentage of low-power laser energy....... GW ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: laser absorber material Author: MiGEater1@aol.com at Internet Date: 12/6/96 11:36 AM Su Wei-Jen, A piece of clear matte plastic (which is what they claim will block 98% of the laser light) covering a highly reflective license plate cannot be compared to any kind of a coating you might apply to an aircraft. Catalogs like that are in the market to make quick money by selling you fantastic promises, not fantastic product. Although, I suppose you could fit a couple hundred license plate covers on your F-117 if you ever wanted to avoid a state trooper from catching you speeding down a highway. : ) Best, John Clark My employer knows not of what I speak... I don't even think they care. ------------------------------ From: Wei-Jen Su Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 20:14:42 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: Re[2]: laser absorber material On Fri, 6 Dec 1996, GREG WEIGOLD wrote: > ....but if you could cover your F-117 with a layer of plastic-like > material that absorbed a high percentage of low-power laser > energy....... Also, it could be use to cover tanks, buildings, command center, scud-type launch vehicle, etc... boy, if the crazy Hussein is looking at this, he will probably cover the entire Iraq with this type of layer :) BTW, I hear the F-117 base near Iraq, will stay there in indefinete amount of time. May the Force be with you Su Wei-Jen E-mails: wsu02@utopia.poly.edu wjs@webspan.net ------------------------------ From: blackbird@telis.org (Jon Price (PJ)) Date: Sat, 07 Dec 1996 02:38:33 GMT Subject: Re: F-117 Scale models On Wed, 4 Dec 96 14:49:19 PST, you wrote: >>Continuing the thread, here are some more skunky kits. Again, the=20 >>list is not complete, and I'll try to limit my descriptions to a=20 >>simple thumbs up or thumbs down. Maybe patrick or=20 >>others can expand on this list too. Some of these have probably been=20 >>re-released under different box #s or even by different manufacturers=20 >>at some point in time... aircraft designations are as the appear on=20 >>the box (i.e. TR-this, YF-that, etc.) OK, here goes: >> One very important omission. YF-12A by Testor in 1/48. Don't know the kit # but it has not been available in hobby shops for several Years. Features two open missle bays with missles. I am lucky to have one of these and to have had it signed by first flight pilot Jim Eastham. On the downside, it has suffered some earthquake damage, but is repairable. A really impressive kit. Jon >> >>U-2C by Testor 1/48 (#209) - thumbs down - reissue of the *old* Hawk >> molds, but the only U-2C in this scale... >> >>U-2C by Academy 1/72 (#1653) - thumbs UP! nice little kit... >> >>TR-1A / ER-2 by Testor 1/48 (#580) - thumbs up, definitely not from >> the old Hawk molds... include parts for a TR-1B two-seater, >> superpods, etc., NASA markings for ER-2 version >> >>YF-12A by Testor 1/72 (#697) - thumbs up, modified from Testor's #674 >> kit (see below), includes correct radome, IR chines, etc. May >> include weapon bays (ala mystery video) but can't remember... >> >>SR-71A/B by Testor 1/48 (#584) - thumbs up, large, impressive kit, >> includes parts for two-seater >> >>SR-71A by Hasegawa 1/72 (#1187) - thumbs UP! - best 1/72 kit available >> >>SR-71A by Hasegawa 1/72 (#K16X) - thumbs up, same as above, but >> now includes a "GT-21B" >> >>SR-71A by Academy 1/72 (#1642) - thumbs up, a ripoff of the excellent >> Hasegawa molds - even includes the same "GT-21B" >> >>SR-71A by Testor 1/72 (#674) - thumbs up, but not as nice as the >> Hasegawa kit, this one includes a "D-21"... >> >>SR-71A by Revell 1/72 (#4414) - definitely thumbs DOWN!, nolo accurate >> >>SR-71A by Monogram 1/110 (#1109) - oddball scale, snap-together kit, >> gear up on a little stand, makes a nice desktop model... >> >>SR-71A by LS 1/144 (#1065) - thumbs up, but very hard to find >> >>SR-71A by AMT/ERTL 1/144 (#8813) - thumbs up, reboxed LS molds (?) >> >>SR-71A by Hobbycraft 1/288 (#1014) - too small for any detail, >> might look nice as a Christmas ornament... :) >> >>YF-22 by Testor 1/32 (#569) - HUGE kit, you'd think that something >> this size would have *tons* of detail, but... caveat emptor >> >>YF-22 by DML 1/72 (#2508) - thumbs up, nice kit >> also see their YF-23 (#2507) >> >>YF-22 by Monogram 1/72 (#1154) - snap-together kit, gear up on=20 >> a little stand, makes a nice desktop model... >> >>YF-22 by Revell 1/72 (#4461) - rework of Monogram snap kit, now with >> gear, weapon bays, etc. >> >>YF-22 by Revell (Germany) 1/72 (#4314) - thumbs up, comp. to DML kit >> also see their YF-23 (#4326) >> >>YF-22 by Heller 1/72 (#???) - haven't seen this one... >> >>YF-22 by Testor 1/72 (#???) - haven't seen this one either... >> >>also: (not exactly skunky, but recently discussed...) >> >>XB-70A-1 by AMT/ERTL 1/72 (#8907) - thumbs up, much improved over=20 >> the now-extinct Aurora kit, *huge* kit, optional positions=20 >> for windscreen, wing tips (no shaker vanes, Andreas!) >> >> >>There is also a flying model rocket (Estes?) version of the SR-71, and >>there are some guys here locally (DFW) that have developed a large=20 >>rocket-boosted R/C glider kit of an SR-71. Others? >> >>There are also *numerous* kits available for the F-104... don't get me=20 >>started. :) >> >> >>------------------------------------- >>Greg Fieser 12/4/96 >>gregd@cambertx.com 2:49:19 PM >>------------------------------------- >> >> - -- ************************************************** Jon Price If only Naval Aviators flew SR-71's, I'd be happy. Just imagine. "O.K. 3 wire Blackbird"! A PROUD member of the Tailhook Association. I am NOT known for being politically correct. *************************************************** ------------------------------ From: "Randal L. Marbury" Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 22:38:32 -0600 Subject: Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility Mike Mueller wrote: > > >The Lockheed Skunk Works STAR, from November 22, 1996, (Vol. 6, No. 11), > >lists the different programs of the Ontario, CA, facility, and the time when > >they are supposed to be moved to Palmdale. I am familiar with most of those > >programs, but a couple of them are new to me. I copied the list, and added a > >small description (in my own words), and maybe someone can add to those > >descriptions: > > > >January 1997 Quiet Knight (no idea, but probably C-130 related) > > Sofia (no idea, but probably C-130 related) > >April 1997 IRAD Programs (InfraRed Acquisition and Detection (?) > > for the F-117A maybe ???) > > Lockheed uses the term IRAD for In-house Research and Development, R&D > projects that are not customer funded. FYI, SOFIA is a Boeing-747SP mod to replace the C-141-based Kuiper flying telescope for NASA. - -- Randal Marbury (Ontario USAF alumnus) AeroSpace Technical Research Associates Watauga, TX, USA http://ASTRA.home.ml.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "No good deed ever goes unpunished." + + -Unknown + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ------------------------------ From: habu@why.net (habu) Date: Sat, 07 Dec 1996 10:22:38 -0800 Subject: Re: (New) Skunk Works projects, from Ontario facility Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl wrote: > April 1997 IRAD Programs (InfraRed Acquisition and Detection (?) > for the F-117A maybe ???) IRAD (IR&D) usually denotes Internal Research and Development programs, at least for the defense contractors I've dealt with. Of course, their IR&D program could very well have to do with IR Acquisition & Detection... Greg ------------------------------ From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Sat, 7 Dec 1996 14:04:34 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: laser absorber material Some notes on RADAR, LASER, LIDAR and stealth: Today commonly used words like Radar and Laser started out as acronyms: * RADAR = RAdio Detecting And Ranging, describing the system (hardware) as well as the process (or the technology), and * LASER = Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The word laser usually means an laser oscillator, rather than an amplifier, though. The relatively new acronym: * LIDAR = LIght Detecting And Ranging, describes a system (hardware) that uses light (usually in form of a laser) for the same purpose as radar -- just with electromagnetic waves of a higher frequency, than usual radars. Both use electromagnetic waves: radar usually operates within the RF (Radio Frequencies) bands from HF (High Frequency) (as low as 3 MHz = 100m) through VHF (Very High Frequency), UHF (Ultra High Frequency), up to the Microwaves (at 300 GHz = 1mm), and beyond, while a laser operates from the IR (InfraRed) through the visible spectrum and far into the UV (UltraViolet). Both systems can be used for a variety of purposes, from detecting objects (or targets), to illuminating those targets (so that a weapon can find it), as well as measuring the target's bearing, distance and/or speed, and even transmitting (coded) information for identification or communication, and all of this virtually at the same time. They can even be used to create an image of a target. To detect or illuminate a target, you need a transmitter which has to send sufficient energy in the direction of the target. Also the target has to reflect enough of this energy back to your receiver, which might be at a different site, though. The reflectivity of a target depends on the material it is made of, the target's relative size in respect to the wave length (or frequency) of your signal, and the form and position of the target. To get bearing (directional) information regarding an object, you have to measure the signal strength of the reflected energy, coming from different directions -- the strongest signal should be returned from the direction of your target. It is important to notice, that the signal strength is not related to the size of the target, but to its reflectivity and its distance. To get ranging (distance) information for an object, you have to send pulses of energy and measure the time a pulse from your transmitter needs to travel to the target and back to your receiver. This information is required from most radars like EW (Early Warning), Search/Scan and Tracking radars, as well as Laser Range Finders. If your transmitter is not at the same place as your receiver, you need to know the position of (or distance and direction to) the transmitter, to triangulate the target's position. To get velocity (speed) information for an object, you have to send pulses of energy, and measure the Doppler effect (frequency shift) of your signal, caused by the relative movement of the target, which tells you the speed towards (or away) from you. To get the real speed and direction of travel of the target, you have also to correlate that with your bearing information, and your own speed and direction. Radars capable of giving direction, distance and speed information in that way are called DPRs (Pulse Doppler Radars). If you want to transmit information, you have to modulate the signal, either AM (Amplitude Modulation = changing the signal strength) or FM (Frequency Modulation = changing the frequency/wave length). You can then transmit IFF (Identification/Interrogation Friend or Foe) data or transponder signals, or mark a target with a signal, so that a missile or bomb will attack that specific target, and not any other, which might be illuminated by another radar/laser designator nearby. To get a picture of a target, you have to emulate a camera/scanner, in form of a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), which is often also known as SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar), when carried by an aircraft. Other factors to consider are: * Range vs. target Size: - Laser-based systems like a LIDAR, are able to detect smaller objects (because they use a higher frequency/shorter wave length), but are also diffused and absorbed by the atmosphere, clouds and water vapor. They are usually used to detect weather information like wind shear, micro bursts or rain, etc. - Most systems are LOS (Line-Of-Sight) range limited, but there are also OTH (Over-The-Horizon) radars, which use the ionosphere to reflect their signal but don't have much resolution nor accuracy. * Countermeasures: - Radars or Lasers can be jammed or spooked, and targets can use LO (Low-Observable) features or 'stealth' to protect themselves. The effectiveness of countermeasures depends again on the frequency of the system(s) countered. A LIDAR will probably not be used to detect a stealth aircraft like the F-117, B-2, F-22, JSF or RAH-66 directly, but could be used to detect the wake they create in the air, even if the aircraft has cooled exhausts, doesn't create smoke or leave contrails. - Optical stealth is not very important for F-117As, which are usually flying their operational attack missions in the night, while future stealth aircraft might use IVY or YEHUDI technologies or techniques to counter IRST (InfraRed Search and Tracking) or other EO (Electro-Optical) sensors. For every measure there exists a countermeasure. The question is usually, do you need that countermeasure, and can you afford it. - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl E-Mail: schnars@ais.org 313 West Court St. #305 or: gpahl@raptor.csc.flint.umich.edu Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 WWW URL: http://www.umcc.umich.edu/~schnars/ - --- --- ------------------------------ End of Skunk Works Digest V5 #734 ********************************* To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@mail.orst.edu". If you want to subscribe something other than the account the mail is coming from, such as a local redistribution list, then append that address to the "subscribe" command; for example, to subscribe "local-skunk-works": subscribe skunk-works-digest local-skunk-works@your.domain.net To unsubscribe, send mail to the same address, with the command: unsubscribe skunk-works-digest in the body. 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