Chinese researchers claim to have developed a new bistatic radar satellite system with the potential to track low radar cross-section (RCS) stealth fighter aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and B-21 Raider from orbit. Simulations show that this system, which is compatible with the features of the Lu Tan-1 (LT-1) dual satellite, can effectively suppress background clutter from land and sea surfaces, which is the biggest obstacle in ghost aircraft detection.
Bistatic Radar Increases RCS and Suppresses Interference
According to the study published by SCMP, the space-based bistatic radar system can detect weak radar reflections even under extreme conditions. In the simulation, the target was modelled as a stealth aircraft with an RCS of 10 m² and the radar operated in L-Band.
Chen Junli of the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST) explained the advantages of this system as follows: “The wide-angle bistatic radar structure can significantly increase the radar cross-section (RCS) of the target at certain angles. In addition, since the receiving satellite does not transmit a signal, the system is more resistant to jamming.”
Researchers state that the system can effectively suppress land and sea-borne interference in a wide range of conditions and can even detect targets moving relatively slowly (50 km/h). It was stated that faster targets were more easily detected thanks to the Doppler shift.
Monitoring Possibility Day and Night, Under All Conditions
Ghost aircraft detection from space was previously considered impossible due to the weakness of the return echo signal and background interference caused by the long range. Conventional cameras were affected by adverse weather conditions such as clouds and fog. This new study strengthens the claim that these obstacles can be overcome and that China can track stealth platforms day and night, including in bad weather conditions, with space-based radar technology.
This claim marks a new leap in space-based military reconnaissance capabilities after China’s Jilin-1 commercial remote sensing suite satellites successfully tracked a manoeuvring F-22 fighter jet in cloudy weather in 2022.
