AH-64 stealth capabilities
Casper
A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
Rick DeBay
EGELSONE
Rick DeBay wrote:
That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
ED
Niels Stchedroff
Incidently, because rotors are relatively simple structures, it is
possible to make them out of entirely radar transparent materials. This
is what is being done on the Comanche.
Christoph Schlegel
EGELSONE <egel...@aol.com> wrote
<19970318025...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> Rick DeBay wrote:
>
> >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
> That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
But another interesting question is: How can the Comanche be stealthy
inspite of its rotor?
best regards,
Christoph
EGELSONE
>best regards,
>Christoph
Because most of it is plastic and the swashplate and all dynamic parts are
covered in RAM.
Ed :-)
btw there is NOTHING stealthy about the 64.
Geoffrey Chan
cas...@gate.net (Casper) writes:
>A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
>the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>Rick DeBay
Apaches, Blackhawks and soon the Commanche all use the "Blackhole" system by having
the HOT exhaust fumes directed into the rotor and therefore dissipated into the
surrounding air, this justs confuses IR SAMS (SA-7).
Geoff Chan
--
--
- " The Information Super Highway, where nerds talk about Star Trek"
<*> - Homer J Simpson Geoff Chan Geof...@minyos.its.rmit.edu.au
gunner
Have you considered what type of radar the narrator what referring to?
think about it?
EGELSONE <egel...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970318025...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> Rick DeBay wrote:
>
> >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
> That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
>
> ED
>
>
>
>
>
Tim O'Donnell
Two points:
1. Radar return suppressing paints exist - small metallic particles are
aligned to spread RF energy out over the skin and not emit at
threat-receptor freq.
2. Doppler return from rotor is not strong enough for active missile's to
lock/track, therefore other systems are used in the missile. That may be
what they were referring to.
gunner <gun...@micron.net> wrote in article
<01bc3421$9d90aa00$cad5...@gunner.micron.net>...
Michael Knight
On 18 Mar 1997, EGELSONE wrote:
> Rick DeBay wrote:
>
> >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
> That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
>
No, Rick is correct in his statement that the show called it RAM. It
referred to the IR-reducing nacelles on the exhaust, and then went on to
say the Apache is painted with Radar-absorbent-material. The show was
called Chopper Power and was on Discovery last Sunday (March 16).
The idea is to reduce the radar signature. A quick (almost afterthought)
way to do this was paint it with RAM. This makes a non-stealthy design
slightly more stealthy, no matter how many angles it has on it. The broad
side of a barn wouldn't show up on radar if it had a really, really good
coat of RAM on it. You don't need to reflect radar waves away from you if
you absort the energy to begin with....the idea behind RAM.
Obviously, the rotors aren't coated with RAM. And you are right, the
rotor disk is a big target on radar....from above or below. However,
looking at the Apache head-on, both the main rotor and the tail rotor are
simply very thin disks, edge-on. Its harder to see a frisbee head on than
from above or below.
The Apache has a relatively narrow fuselage cross-section (not as narrow
as the Cobra, but anyway), thus reducing its radar cross section (RCS).
So, from head-on, or directly behind, the Apache is reasonably stealth.
Its not that bad from the side.
As another anaology, look at a B-2. Its RCS is huge from above or below
as compared to head on, the side, or behind. But most radars will see the
B-2, and the Apache, from those angles, not directly above or
behind....that's how we get away with it.
-Michael
Michael David Knight Flight: The uncanny SAAB | Draken
Gulfstream Aerospace ability to avoid __/O\__
Georgia Tech Aerospace hitting the ground. ----===(_)(.)(_)===----
mkni...@worldnet.att.net x x o o x x
Ken Devlin
>On 18 Mar 1997 04:59:51 GMT, geof...@minyos.its.rmit.EDU.AU (Geoffrey Chan) wrote:
>cas...@gate.net (Casper) writes:
>
>>A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
>>the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>>the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>>its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>>has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
>>Rick DeBay
>
>Apaches, Blackhawks and soon the Commanche all use the "Blackhole" system by having
>the HOT exhaust fumes directed into the rotor and therefore dissipated into the
>surrounding air, this justs confuses IR SAMS (SA-7).
>
actually I think you'll find the "BlackHole" system is the massive
cooling-fin exhaust duct on the aft end of the engines of (in
particular) the Apache. The exhaust is not "directed into the rotor"
but is, of course, directed into the rotor downwash (horizontally).
But, as I understand it, the exhaust is cooled somewhat prior to that.
kbd
EGELSONE
>cas...@gate.net (Casper) writes:
>
>>A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
>>the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>>the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>>its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>>has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
>>Rick DeBay
>
>Apaches, Blackhawks and soon the Commanche all use the "Blackhole" system
by having
>the HOT exhaust fumes directed into the rotor and therefore dissipated
into the
>surrounding air, this justs confuses IR SAMS (SA-7).
>
KBD added:
>actually I think you'll find the "BlackHole" system is the massive
>cooling-fin exhaust duct on the aft end of the engines of (in
>particular) the Apache. The exhaust is not "directed into the rotor"
>but is, of course, directed into the rotor downwash (horizontally).
>But, as I understand it, the exhaust is cooled somewhat prior to that.
Actually the AH-64 is set up to inject (so to speak) cool air into the
exhaust stream before it leaves the engine compartment. Cool air is drawn
fom the transmission area into each engine compartment. meixed with the
exhaust and expelled out three "black holes". This air is quite cool and
aids greatly in IR signature reduction. You can stand very near the
exhausts and feel the temp. It is very low compared to other aircraft
that came before it.
Apache also employes and IR jammer similar to many others. If you look at
the 64 throuh the FLIR, it is very easy to geta good picuer of the
airframe, the exhausts don't show up extra brite like they do on the UH-1
and some others.
As far as stealth features, that's about it. The rest of the defenses
against detection are based upon tactics, situational awareness (i.e. RAHW
gear), chaff and acteve ECM. There are no real "stealth" features on the
64. Even the exhaust system is basically a passive IR missile defense,
not an anti detection device. (Which is how I define stealth).
Ed
EGELSONE
On 18 Mar 1997, EGELSONE wrote:
> Rick DeBay wrote:
>
> >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One
of
> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>
> That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
>
Mike Knight added:
?behind....that's how we get away with it.
I think I will stick to my earlier statement about the paint being the
standard US Army IR absorbent paint. There is nothing said about a R.A.M.
cpating on the bird as far as I know. I will take the time to find out,
but I really don't think so. The paint, if it were R.A.M. would have all
sorts of restrictions and care measures. We don't do anything like that
with it. We stencil crap all over it and even add the crewchief's name
(good for moral) to the side. I respect where you are coming from Mike, I
just think someone on discovery is a little confused. Of course that
someone could be ME!
The paint on the 64 is just like the same paint we have been painting on
helicopters since the late seventies. It looks the same, has the same
texture and color and comes in a can for touch ups. I keep having to ask
for answers, I feel like a dork sometimes. It seems Discovery and Wings
know so much more than those of us that get paid to fly em. I will ask
around Friday, I will be at the CMS ar Ft Hood, TX. Fri, Sat and Sunday,
those folks can usually get you the hard anwers fast.
Ed
Stephen Berlinsky
Ed,
If you see someone grabbing a can of paint to just touch it up, you need
to give em a good swift kick in the ass. While I don't know if the paint
is anti-radar (agree with you on it being anti-ir), a VERY important
characteristic is the anti-chemical properties (CARC paint). Its a two
part paint and requires trained personnel (with rubber gloves,
respirators and all that stuff your safety officer can discuss for
hours) to apply it. It doesn't hurt to put all that unit stuff like
sabers, tigers, crew chief names over it, but any bare spots need the
full blown touch-ups.
Steve
Niels Stchedroff
Christoph Schlegel wrote:
>
> EGELSONE <egel...@aol.com> wrote
> <19970318025...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> >
> > >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
> > >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> > >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> > >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> > >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
> >
> > That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
>
> inspite of its rotor?
>
> best regards,
> Christoph
The blades are radar transparent. The hub is covered in a smooth fairing
which is coated with RAM.
wageslave
On Fri, 21 Mar 1997 01:31:41 GMT, kde...@magicnet.net (Ken Devlin)
wrote:
>>On 18 Mar 1997 04:59:51 GMT, geof...@minyos.its.rmit.EDU.AU (Geoffrey Chan) wrote:
>
>>cas...@gate.net (Casper) writes:
>>
>>>A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
>>>the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>>>the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>>>its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>>>has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>>
>>>Rick DeBay
>>
>>Apaches, Blackhawks and soon the Commanche all use the "Blackhole" system by having
>>the HOT exhaust fumes directed into the rotor and therefore dissipated into the
>>surrounding air, this justs confuses IR SAMS (SA-7).
>>
>
>actually I think you'll find the "BlackHole" system is the massive
>cooling-fin exhaust duct on the aft end of the engines of (in
>particular) the Apache. The exhaust is not "directed into the rotor"
>but is, of course, directed into the rotor downwash (horizontally).
>But, as I understand it, the exhaust is cooled somewhat prior to that.
>
> kbd
The "Black Hole" system is just a fancy name for the apparatus that
the Apache's exhaust is routed through before it leaves the aircraft.
For each engine, it consists of three seperate ducts that are roughly
6 inches wide and 24 inches tall and surrounded by cooling vanes that
help to reduce the exaust temperature with the downdraft of the
rotorwash through the vanes. They are also curved in a manner that
prevent a line of sight directly to the rear of the engine. This is in
contrast to many other helicopters where you can clearly see the red
hot glow of the turbine from behind the aircraft. Many Blackhawks are
also being fitted with a similar device that relies on airflow from
forward airspeed to produce the same cooling effect and also shiel the
rear of the engine from direct view.
Also, as a side note...with maybe an exception for the Comanche, name
another helicopter that does NOT have it's exhaust directed out of the
rear of the engine area and into the rotorwash.
The Comanche does not vent it's exhaust at the rear of the engine at
all, instead it is mixed with outside air and vented along the entire
length of the tail, which is said to reduce the heat signature so much
that it is virtually impossible to lock on to it with a heat seeking
weapon....heh, I would not want to test it out, though. ;)
Darrell.
Do you have an Apache maintenance question? You've come to the right
person.
Casper
In <19970321040...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, egel...@aol.com (EGELSONE) writes:
>
>cas...@gate.net (Casper) writes:
[snip]
>Apache also employes and IR jammer similar to many others. If you look at
From what I understand, the jammers work on the principle that the
missiles use a rotating disk to detect the IR emissions of the target.
How many existing threats still use this technology?
>Ed
Rick DeBay
Casper
In <19970321041...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, egel...@aol.com (EGELSONE) writes:
>
>On 18 Mar 1997, EGELSONE wrote:
>
>> Rick DeBay wrote:
>>
>of
>> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
>>
>>
>
They definitately said radar absorbant paint. Of course they could
be wrong. Hence my post, as I figured stealth would be a "neat thing"
to add to any broadcast. Heck, I'm waiting for a show on logistics,
no fancy planes whoosing around, but how to win wars...
>Ed
Rick DeBay
Daddy
Ed Here is your answer:
The AH-64 is a fighter aircraft. It hide behind trees and pops up and
shots. Without the radar paint the enemy would be able to lock on as soon
as we pop up. With the radar paint and low IR of the engines it will give
us up to 20 seconds before we can be locked onto. We can kill you in FIVE!
Now do you understand?
SSG D. AH-64 Technical Inspector
Dug...@sagelink.net
Ed Penick
Sorry Sarge, but I can lock a Stinger missile onto an AH-64 and engage
anytime I want to. Look at another Apache througt the FLIR sometime.
It is not exactly a "low IR" signature.
CW4 Ed Penick
OH-58D(I) SIP
SCOUTS OUT!
John A. Easley
The AH64 has very little in the way of "stealth capabilities" the fuselage
and major external components are painted with CARC paint the Chemical
Agent Resistant Coating is for operating in a chemical enviroment and for
ease of decontamination,reduction of sunglint from the dull surface. The 64
does use exhaust diffusers for pre-cooling the exhaust which is effective
to a certain extent followed by the AN/ALQ-144 IR jammer for IR threats and
a rudimentary radar jamming capability supplied by the AN/ALQ-136 jammer.
The only aircraft covered with RAM materials that I know of is the F117 and
B2 which the air force is discovering that over a period of time degrades
and the 117's are'nt as stealthy as they once were.
John Hairell
In article <Pine.SOL.3.95.970320140101.4394B-100000@gypsy> Michael Knight <gt6...@cad.gatech.edU> writes:
>> Rick DeBay wrote:
>>
>> >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
>> >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
>> >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
>> >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
>> >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
And Egelsone wrote:
>> That's IR absorbant paint not radar.
>>
>No, Rick is correct in his statement that the show called it RAM. It
>referred to the IR-reducing nacelles on the exhaust, and then went on to
>say the Apache is painted with Radar-absorbent-material. The show was
>called Chopper Power and was on Discovery last Sunday (March 16).
Did you consider that the Chopper Power show might be wrong? Army aircraft,
as Egelsone pointed out, are painted with IR-absorbent paint, and have been
for at least 18 years that I'm aware of.
Most helos have high RCS, and have to be either specifically designed for a
lower RCS or to be modified with more than just paint. One thing you
didn't see on that show was that Army high-priority units are already
flying at least two advanced models of OH-58 which have some sort of so-called
stealth technology, including RAM on the rotor heads, front-end design
modifications, and metal-coated windshields, amongst other things.
John Hairell (jhai...@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Matt Clonfero
Carl Jenkins <cjen...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>John,
>
>Which units ? As far as I know, that program went away after DS and
>the subsequent upgrade to OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The inclusion of the
>RAM on the rotor head, tail rotor, skids, and fuselage modifications
>increased the weight and drag by such a significant margin that the
>army opted not to continue with that program.
Can't help with the units, but in this week's Defence News there's a
report on the outcome of the trials. The kit includes a bodykit for
the nose and a few other improvements. It seems that Bell is pushing
the reduced-RCS Kiowa as a cheaper version of the Comanche, probably
for export.
Aetherem Vincere
Matt.
--
================================================================================
Matt Clonfero: Ma...@aetherem.demon.co.uk | To Err is Human
My employers and I have a deal - They don't | To forgive is not Air Force Policy
speak for me, and I don't speak for them. | -- Anon, ETPS
Christoph Schlegel
Carl Jenkins <cjen...@mindspring.com> wrote
<33bd2d5f....@news.mindspring.com>...
> >Matt Clonfero <Ma...@aetherem.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>[snip snip snip]
>
> >Can't help with the units, but in this week's Defence News there's a
> >report on the outcome of the trials. The kit includes a bodykit for
> >the nose and a few other improvements. It seems that Bell is pushing
> >the reduced-RCS Kiowa as a cheaper version of the Comanche, probably
> >for export.
>
> Saudi. One the version that U.S. Army uses and the other a knock off
> of the OH-58D. Seems like that is a favored tactic with Bell...
After what I've read in this week's Time Magazine (March 24th 1997, p. 34,
"The Sky's the Limit"), the Army will finally have to do with the
RCS-reduced Kiowa as well. F-22, F/A-18E/F, RAH-66 and JSF will cost at
least $415 billion over next 35 years - way more than Congress is willing
to finance. Thus, some projects will have to go. What about cancelling
those which are overdue and overbudget, i.e. F-22 and RAH-66? As a
consequence, the JSF project would have to be reoriented in order to meet
the USAF (reduced) requirements for a F-15 replacement. Accordingly, JSF
would probably be split into two differnt projects...
Opinons, flames, whatever?
best regards,
Christoph
Ken Fischer
John A. Easley (rx7...@flash.net) wrote:
: The AH64 has very little in the way of "stealth capabilities" the fuselage
That's odd, the F-117 was 97 percent aluminum
before the fins were replaced with composites for strength.
Kenneth Edmund Fischer - Inventor of Stealth Shapes - U.S. Pat. 5,488,372
Eric "Erc" Shock
Daddy wrote:
>
> Ed Here is your answer:
> The AH-64 is a fighter aircraft. It hide behind trees and pops up and
> shots. Without the radar paint the enemy would be able to lock on as soon
> as we pop up. With the radar paint and low IR of the engines it will give
> us up to 20 seconds before we can be locked onto. We can kill you in FIVE!
> Now do you understand?
>
> SSG D. AH-64 Technical Inspector
> Dug...@sagelink.net
Wouldn't being so close to the ground actually HELP the Apache? Reason
being, that if it pops up and shoots, sure, you get a lock on it, but it
goes back down behind a hill or some trees... I don't know much about
Stingers... how good are they at threading their way through forests???
:) Plus, with the aircraft close to the ground, wouldn't it add to the
"stealthness," since the aircraft's signature could be confused with
ground clutter (much in the same way submariners "bottomed the boat" to
avoid SONAR)?
EGELSONE
John A. Easley (rx7...@flash.net) wrote:
: The AH64 has very little in the way of "stealth capabilities" the
fuselage
: and major external components are painted with CARC paint the Chemical
: Agent Resistant Coating is for operating in a chemical enviroment and
for
: ease of decontamination,reduction of sunglint from the dull surface. The
64
: does use exhaust diffusers for pre-cooling the exhaust which is
effective
: to a certain extent followed by the AN/ALQ-144 IR jammer for IR threats
and
: a rudimentary radar jamming capability supplied by the AN/ALQ-136
jammer.
: The only aircraft covered with RAM materials that I know of is the F117
and
: B2 which the air force is discovering that over a period of time
degrades
: and the 117's are'nt as stealthy as they once were.
The inventor added:
> That's odd, the F-117 was 97 percent aluminum
>before the fins were replaced with composites for strength.
Exactly where did john make a statement you find odd. he made no mention
of F-117 materials. He is also correct, that this entire thread has been
trying to claim (VIA Discovery Channel) that the AH-64 is covered or
painted with a R.A.M. paint. It is a blatently incorrect assumption.
John was trying to tell you that the actual paint on the 64 is CARC paint
not RAM!. CARC=Chemical Agent Resistant Coating. NOw whaty does that
have to do with an F-117 being made of 97% AU?
Ed
David Fisher
> EGELSONE wrote:
> >
> > Rick DeBay wrote:
> >
> > >A show on the Discovery channel was discussing the AH-64 Apache. One of
> > >the topics was the reduction of the IR signature of the engines. Then
> > >the narrator said that the Apache uses radar absorbant paint to reduce
> > >its radar signature. Why would you do this, given that the helicopter
> > >has angular projections all over it, and a great big rotating blade?
> >
> >
>
This is probably gonna sound stupid, but what the heck is IR absorbent
paint? RAM I can understand, since radar is an active detection system
(the detector must emit something), but IR detection systems are passive.
There isn't anything to absorb; the main concern is finding ways for the
target to minimize its production of IR greater than the current environment.
It's not as though the detector shines a big heat lamp on the target area,
and waits to see what heats up...
Having said all that, the only paint/coating that I could see helping
with IR signature is completely white, i.e. as much unlike a black-body
as possible, or something that radiates primarily in a spectrum that isn't
being scanned. (UV?)
-Dave
--
MWAN (Man without a number) #0
Jesse Nadel
>
> This is probably gonna sound stupid, but what the heck is IR absorbent
> paint? RAM I can understand, since radar is an active detection system
> (the detector must emit something), but IR detection systems are passive.
> There isn't anything to absorb; the main concern is finding ways for the
> target to minimize its production of IR greater than the current environment.
> It's not as though the detector shines a big heat lamp on the target area,
> and waits to see what heats up...
>
> Having said all that, the only paint/coating that I could see helping
> with IR signature is completely white, i.e. as much unlike a black-body
> as possible, or something that radiates primarily in a spectrum that isn't
> being scanned. (UV?)
>
> -Dave
IR and RF are a lot alike in that they are both electromagnetic
radiation, but one big difference is the wavelength. IR is nearly
visual, a LOT shorter than typical radars. Note that the sun is an
awfully good source of visual and IR radiation, and most mechanical
objects are IR sources as well. That's why IR sensors are passive;
there's enough energy flying around without adding another source.
As for the absorbent material, that can both absorb energy external from
external sources (like flat black paint for visual light), or reduce
leakage of internal energy.
Jesse
John Hairell
In article <springs-ya0231800...@news.apple.com> spr...@cybertech.apple.com (David Fisher) writes:
[stuff from previous posts snipped]
>This is probably gonna sound stupid, but what the heck is IR absorbent
>paint? RAM I can understand, since radar is an active detection system
>(the detector must emit something), but IR detection systems are passive.
>There isn't anything to absorb; the main concern is finding ways for the
>target to minimize its production of IR greater than the current environment.
>It's not as though the detector shines a big heat lamp on the target area,
>and waits to see what heats up...
>Having said all that, the only paint/coating that I could see helping
>with IR signature is completely white, i.e. as much unlike a black-body
>as possible, or something that radiates primarily in a spectrum that isn't
>being scanned. (UV?)
Actually, a big heat lamp IS being shone on the scene. It's called the
Sun. CARC IR paint cuts down on the IR signature, i.e. it cuts down (but
doesn't eliminate) emissions in the bands seen by IR sensors. The paint
doesn't have to be white to work, though that might make it more efficient.
Bad for most camouflage, though... In the US Army CARC paint is available in
several different colors. For example, the color used on Army aircraft is
"Aircraft Green" which is technically more black than green. That surely will
add more fuel to the argument.
Several technologies/methods are used to reduce AH-64 signatures and to
increase survivability: passive IR suppression (exhaust plume cooling, CARC IR
paint), active IR jamming (disco light), visual suppression (angled
windshields/CARC paint), noise suppression (dual tail rotors), onboard ESM
(RWR, etc) and tactical usage (NOE/contour flight, terrain masking, night
ops), amongst others. No RAM in there anywhere, though.
John Hairell (jhai...@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov)