What about Russia's Stealth?!?! What about the others?!?!

Possibaly, the Russians keep secrets just like we do. It might not be on the same level as our, but why not? They do have the Saratove air base that is very similar to Groom Lake/ Area 51

Tim

Wouldn't surprise me. Look at how long American stealth plans were close secrets.

Even if the Russians could design and construct a primitive stealth aircraft (which they probably could) they would be facing some huge technological hurdles:

1. Radar Absorbant Materials (RAM). The crown jewel of our stealth capability, comprised of super-complex polymers and compounds that are insanely hard to produce AND apply to an airframe.

2. Their design would probably have to be a faceted approach, ala F-117. They probably dont have the raw computing horsepower to design a blended body aircraft that is truely low observable and flyable.

3. If they did use curved surfaces, it would probably only be in the areas of the intakes and exhaust. The MiG 1.42 has some of these features, but in a very limited way. I'm sure it's RCS is reduced, but still not enough to warrant a "stealth" monniker.

4. Active stealth (via plasma or whatever) is a load of crap. Might look good on the blackboard and maybe some Russian or US eggheads have experimented with it in the lab, but to generate the power required for it to have a noticeable effect would keep any tactical aircraft grounded. Not to mention that the active plasma field (a measurable source of energy) could be detected and used to track any aircraft employing it.....

5. Look for the Russians to employ limited LO techniques on their SU-27 and MiG-29 follow up aircraft (if there ever are any) like the French have done on the Rafale. A little RAM here and there and a little creative shaping here and there, and you can reduce your RCS by 10-15 db. But not enough to be called "stealth".

stealth is not invincible it is difficult to detect. the F-22 or any other "stealth" aircraft can be detected by a radar operating at any reasonable frequency with sufficient power output and conveniently placed receivers.

afaik - russian researchers are very sceptical about stealth technology, at least american way.. and believe me - not so bad situation at Russia - Design bureaus still working in ALL military researches... looking for US fails and mistakes )

The russian aircraft designer's favorite tool!
The Scanner/Fax!

Did you know that.. russian weapon generally are Cheaper, are more user friedly, more robust and have more destructive power than their us counterparts.. Take for examble ak-47/akm/ak-74/ak-74m vs. M-16/4 only thing in witch ak series loses to the armalite series rifles is accuracy and ak:s accuracy of about 10cm groups at 150 with 10 shots aint bad either.. And U.S army doesnt have anything like the 82mm Vasilyek automatic Grenade launcher.. I have heard that this is weapon of great firepower..
www.jed.simonides.org...

There are soo cheap because there are soo many of them that have been produced. Yea they may be more powerful but the US counterparts are far more accurate and advanced, Far less jams and malfunctions.

Originally posted by Uninen
Did you know that.. russian weapon generally are Cheaper, are more user friedly, more robust and have more destructive power than their us counterparts..

Take for examble ak-47/akm/ak-74/ak-74m vs. M-16/4 only thing in witch ak series loses to the armalite series rifles is accuracy and ak:s accuracy of about 10cm groups at 150 with 10 shots aint bad either..

And U.S army doesnt have anything like the 82mm Vasilyek automatic Grenade launcher.. I have heard that this is weapon of great firepower..
www.jed.simonides.org...

yeah my friends from the army always complain how they must clean the damn f16 every friggin 2 hours with galil[ak] they have no worries of jamming etc.

[Edited on 26-7-2003 by $tranger]

Also i wouldnt be suprised if the russians had stealth but i think if they did they either have a working prototypes or a very smalll fleet and they could not contend withthe new generation of upcomming US stealth technology.