China’s quantum radar shatters stealth myth |
FOR nearly four decades, stealth technology has been the crown jewel of modern air power.
From the angular F 117 Nighthawk to the sleek F 22 Raptor and F 35 Lightning II, the United States and its allies relied on radar evading aircraft to dominate the skies. The doctrine was simple: if you cannot be seen, you cannot be shot down. But China’s recent announcement that its new quantum radar system — evocatively named the “Photon Hunter” — has entered service may mark the beginning of the end of this era. If proven effective, it could fundamentally alter the balance of military power in the 21st century.
At its core, the Photon Hunter is not just another radar upgrade. It represents a leap into the quantum realm. Traditional radar systems emit radio waves and measure their reflections to detect objects. Stealth aircraft are designed to absorb or deflect these signals, reducing their radar cross section to near invisibility. Quantum radar, however, operates differently. By using ultra sensitive single photon detectors, it can register even the faintest signals — a single photon — in noisy environments.
This means the tricks of stealth — angled surfaces, radar absorbent coatings and minimized emissions — may no longer suffice. Heat signatures, faint electromagnetic leaks or even the smallest scattering of photons could betray the presence of an aircraft once thought invisible. In essence, the Photon Hunter promises to turn the cloak of invisibility into a transparent veil. Stealth technology has always been a compromise. Aircraft cannot fully hide........