IIT Mandi develops technology to make defence equipment invisible to radar

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi researchers have developed an artificial material to make stealth vehicles and establishments less visible to radar. The team claims that the material can a range of radar frequencies and from any direction. 

The proposed design uses an optically transparent Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet (PET) sheet with frequency-selective surface (FSS) patterns. These patterns have been created using laser engraving technology, which can absorb a wide range of electromagnetic waves. Prior studies have shown that FSS can absorb 90% of the frequencies, which was also verified by IIT Mandi’s team.

“This technology can be used on window or glass panels of stealth vehicles and covert establishments due to its optical transparent nature. It has potential applications for RCS reduction and absorption of unwanted radiation leakages,” said Shrikanth Reddy, Assistant Professor, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi.

Reddy along with his team has published the results of this work in the IEEE Letters on Electromagnetic Compatibility Practice and Applications

Radars are used for surveillance, navigation, and tracking in both defence and civil sectors. A lot of resources are spent on defence strategies to make vehicles and establishments invisible to radar to reduce the chances of being targeted by enemy weapons. These techniques can be used in civil applications to reduce radiation leakages from buildings to make them more secure. 

Radar Cross Section or RCS is a popular way to reduce visibility and detection by radar. It is achieved by using materials that absorb radar signals or by shaping the object in a way to avoid detection. The same technique was employed by IIT Mandi for developing the material.