Researchers from China’s top defense electronics institute claim to have developed a way to track US stealth radars using modified civilian equipment. The study, published on April 21 in Computer Measurement & Control, reveals that commercial spectrum analyzers can track US radar emissions with surprising precision. This breakthrough could change the way electronic warfare is approached.
The engineers, Niu Qin and Xia Shaojun, used the TFN RMT744A spectrum analyzer. The device tracked the US low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR) with positioning errors as small as 10-13.5mm (0.4-0.5 inches), even when jamming signals were present.
What is LPIR and Why It’s Important
LPIR is a type of radar used in US air and missile defense systems. It is installed on various platforms, including the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, nuclear submarines, and advanced drones. Unlike regular radar, LPIR spreads weak signals over a wide frequency range. It uses rapid signal hopping to make detection difficult.
LPIR’s stealth capabilities make it crucial for military operations. However, this study suggests that its emissions can now be detected with high accuracy.
Study Details
The 38th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation led the study. This institute is known for developing radar systems for the Chinese military. In field tests, the researchers showed that the TFN RMT744A could track LPIR signals across a wide frequency range, from 5kHz to 44 GHz.
The TFN RMT744A costs less than $70,000 and is typically used for telecoms. However, in the tests, it performed like military equipment. It does not emit signals but listens for them. The researchers highlighted the device’s sensitivity and speed, enabling it to capture LPIR signals with near 100% accuracy.
Breaking Through the Signal Encryption
The research team used advanced AI techniques to enhance the device’s signal processing. They combined the cuckoo search algorithm with Latin hypercube sampling. This allowed the device to break through the LPIR encryption and track the radar signals effectively.
The cuckoo search algorithm mimics the erratic flight patterns of cuckoos. This improves the device’s ability to find useful data in weak signals. The technique also uses metallurgy principles to avoid getting stuck on incorrect results.
Testing in Realistic Conditions
The tests were conducted in an open-area range that simulated a real combat environment. The researchers used several US battlefield radars, such as the AN/TPS-43 and AN/TPS-74, to generate LPIR signals. It’s unclear whether they used actual US radars or simulators, but the results were impressive.
The detectors were placed more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the jamming systems, which emitted noise between 300 MHz and 6 GHz. Even under heavy jamming, the modified analyzer showed strong performance.
Military Applications and Potential
The study’s results suggest that the new technology could change how electronic warfare is conducted. It could have military applications in missile guidance, reconnaissance, and even underwater detection. The ability to track weak signals through jamming makes this technology a game-changer for defense systems.
The team believes this technology can be applied to various military domains, including reconnaissance and missile tracking. They expect to improve its performance in the future.
Areas for Further Research
Despite the promising results, some details were not included in the study. For example, the paper didn’t reveal the technical parameters of the US radars used or how the system performs against moving targets. It also did not test the system in mountainous areas, where signals might be more challenging to detect.
The paper also did not provide the source code for the signal analysis techniques, which makes it difficult to validate the results independently.
