Chinese researchers have unveiled a new stratospheric airship capable of detecting stealth aircraft like the U.S. F-35 fighter jet from 1,800 km (1,120 miles) away. This breakthrough in infrared detection technology could significantly alter modern air defense systems by making it easier to track stealth jets. 
Advanced Infrared Detection Technology
The study, conducted by the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics (CIOMP) a key player in China’s missile and space programs was published in the Chinese-language journal Aerospace Technology.
Stealth aircraft, such as the F-35, are designed to avoid detection using radar-absorbing materials. However, their engines emit intense heat, which can be detected using infrared sensors. The F-35’s engine exhaust reaches temperatures of nearly 1,000 Kelvin, making it visible to infrared detectors.
Researchers focused on the 2.8-4.3 micrometre wavelength range, the optimal range for detecting heat. The detection system, mounted on an unmanned airship flying at 20 km altitude, successfully identified the F-35’s heat signature from the side and rear at a distance of 1,800 km. Detection from the front was more challenging, reducing the range to about 350 km.
Cost-Effective Surveillance Solution
The new airship offers a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to satellites and aircraft. Unlike traditional surveillance methods, these airships can hover at 20 km altitude for months, beyond the reach of most surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets.
According to Tian Hao, an associate researcher at CIOMP, deploying multiple airships could create a continuous early-warning network. This would make it difficult for stealth aircraft to operate undetected, challenging the effectiveness of U.S. military assets like the F-35 and F-22.
Impact on Global Military Strategy
If successful, this technology could weaken the strategic advantage of countries relying on stealth technology. The U.S. and its allies may need to develop new countermeasures or improve stealth designs to evade detection.
However, the airships have some limitations:
• Speed: They move at only 120 km/h (74 mph), making them slow.
• Size: At 150 meters, they are large and visible, making them vulnerable to attacks.
Despite these drawbacks, their low cost and ease of production mean that China could quickly replace any lost airships, ensuring uninterrupted surveillance.
Shifting the Balance of Power
China’s advancements in infrared detection and stratospheric surveillance reflect its commitment to enhancing its military capabilities. This new technology could reshape global defense strategies, forcing other nations to adapt to the changing landscape of modern warfare.
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