Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM): Basic Principles and Technology Trends

Hiding from and surprising an opponent are tactics that have been used in warfare throughout history. Radiation absorbent material (RAM) is a material designed and shaped to absorb incident RF energy, making the radar returns from vehicles with RAM, harder to see with air defense radar systems. The better the RAM material and design, the harder it would be to attack the protected platform. The most effective types of RAM are pyramid shaped anechoic chambers, each pyramid made of a suitable lossy material, but these materials are delicate, and cannot be flown on aircraft. This webinar brings the basic principles and parameters to tailor efficient RAM to aircraft, as well as discuss new technologies, like multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), ferrites, and nanocomposites that are emerging in the development of stealth platforms.