Stealth: The Secret Contest to Invent Invisible Aircraft

The development of Stealth technology, which involved making aircraft invisible to radar, began in the 1930s and became increasingly urgent during the Cold War. The race for Stealth was between two aerospace companies, Lockheed and Northrop, who approached the problem from different perspectives and developed two very different solutions: the F-117A (Stealth Fighter) and the B-2 (Stealth Bomber). The creative culture of postwar Southern California played a key role in Stealth's development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

On a moonless night in January 1991, a dozen U.S. aircraft appeared in the skies over Baghdad, appearing to come from nowhere to the Iraqi air defenses. These planes, with their angular shape and wingspan of 40 feet, were virtually undetectable to radar, thanks to the first extensive combat application of Stealth technology. The development of Stealth technology unfolded over decades, with radar being essential to the Allies in World War Two. American investment in radar exceeded that in the Manhattan Project, and the atom bomb ended the war. However, the experience also raised the question of whether a plane could be developed that was invisible to radar.

During the Cold War, the United States searched for a way to defend its airspace and send a plane through Soviet skies undetected. This led to a fierce competition between two aerospace companies, Lockheed and Northrop, both with high financial stakes and conducted at the highest levels of secrecy. The two firms approached the problem of Stealth from different perspectives, one that pitted aeronautical designers against each other.

Lockheed, led by the visionary Robert McNamara, focused on using advanced materials and aerodynamics to reduce the plane's radar signature. They developed the F-117A, also known as the Stealth Fighter, which was the first operational stealth aircraft. The F-117A was designed to fly at low altitudes and speeds, making it difficult for radar to detect. It was equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and carried a payload of weapons, making it a potent combat aircraft.

Northrop, on the other hand, approached Stealth from a different angle. Led by the charismatic William Perry, Northrop developed the B-2, also known as the Stealth Bomber. The B-2 was designed to fly at high altitudes, where it was less likely to be detected by radar. It was equipped with advanced stealth technology, including a shape that blended in with the background noise of the atmosphere, making it virtually invisible to radar.

The competition between Lockheed and Northrop was intense, with both companies investing heavily in research and development. The development of Stealth technology was a complex and challenging feat, requiring the collaboration of thousands of engineers and scientists. The two firms faced numerous setbacks and challenges, including technical problems and political interference.

Despite the challenges, the development of Stealth technology was a success. The F-117A and B-2 were deployed in combat operations in the Gulf War and the Balkans, proving their effectiveness in defeating enemy aircraft and ground targets. The technology also had significant civilian applications, such as air traffic control and surveillance.

In conclusion, the development of Stealth technology was a remarkable achievement that required the collaboration of two aerospace companies and thousands of engineers and scientists. The F-117A and B-2 were deployed in combat operations and had significant civilian applications, proving the effectiveness of Stealth technology in reducing the radar signature of aircraft. The competition between Lockheed and Northrop was intense, but the development of Stealth technology was a success that has had a lasting impact on aviation and military technology.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 208 x 138 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197627242