Russia and China are developing drones that could make stealth aircraft
obsolete
Jeremy Bender Business Insider Aug. 27, 2015, 11:10 AM
http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-and-china-trying-to-make-stealth-obsolete-2015-8

[For Popular Science article
http://www.popsci.com/divine-eagle-chinas-enormous-stealth-hunting-drone-takes-shape
]

The US and its allies continue to invest heavily in the F-35 and other
stealth-capable aircraft. But Russia and China are rapidly developing
systems that would negate the benefits that stealth offers.

According to Zarchary Keck writing in The National Interest, both Beijing
and Moscow have begun development of unmanned aerial vehicles that have the
goal of finding, detecting, and possibly even eliminating enemy stealth
aircraft.

China's stealth detection drone, called the Divine Eagle, is believed to be
specially built to counter stealth aircraft while they are still far from
the Chinese mainland.

Popular Science notes that the drone's "long range anti-stealth capabilities
can be used against both aircraft, like the B-2 bomber, and warships such as
the DDG-1000 destroyer ... the Chinese air force could quickly intercept
stealthy enemy aircraft, missiles and ships well before they come in range
of the Mainland."

The Divine Eagle features multiple different radar systems, including X/UHF
low band radar systems, according to Popular Science. These systems could be
used to track stealth aircraft like the F-35 at long distances, as most
stealth technology is created to avoid high band radar systems, thereby
eroding one of the key advantages of the fifth-generation plane.

The Divine Eagle has apparently undergone multiple redesigns which sought to
limit the plane's infrared signature — something that would help ensure the
drone's own purported stealth capabilities.

Russia has been working on its own stealth-detection drone. Flight Global
writes that the Russian military subcontractor KRET debuted a stealth drone
prototype at the MAKS air show in Moscow in August.

The unnamed drone, Flight Global notes, will also come outfitted with UHF
and X-band radar systems that could be used to detect stealth aircraft.
Additionally, the drone is outfitted with an electronic warfare system that
would both cloak the drone and make it difficult to target with air-to-air
missiles.

If such Chinese and Russian systems are ultimately proven effective, the US'
reliance upon stealth technology will need to be radically evaluated.

At the same time, both Chinese and Russian claims of the technology's status
should be viewed with some skepticism.

Chinese military technology is often based on designs stolen from US and
other allied countries, which calls Beijing's domestic research and
development capabilities into question. Additionally, rampant corruption
throughout the Chinese military may undermine the country's ability to fight
or develop advanced technologies.

Russia also faces serious challenges to its military ambitions. Large-scale
economic problems throughout the country — the partial result of EU and US
sanctions stemming from Russia's aggressive policies in Ukraine — have
limited Russia's military procurement. Already, Russia is cancelling the
construction of most of its planned next-generation tanks and may have be
scrapping of plans for a fifth-generation bomber. Any new stealth drone
could face similar funding hurdles.

Still, the potential rise of anti-stealth drones should worry the US, as it
could expose an over-reliance on stealth technology that suddenly has far
less tactical and strategic worth.

Some in the Pentagon already feel that way. In February, Chief of Naval
Operations Adm. Jon Greenert gave a speech in which he called out the
potential limitations of stealth technology.

"You can only go so fast, and you know that stealth may be overrated,"
Greenery said. "Let's face it, if something moves fast through the air,
disrupts molecules and puts out heat — I don't care how cool the engine can
be, it's going to be detectable. You get my point."