The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has launched an electromagnetic (EM) wave-absorbing system, promising a leap in stealth technology.
The Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System offers “near-perfect” EM wave absorption capability across a broad spectrum, the university said in a press release.
Metamaterials are artificial materials designed to absorb or deflect EM waves, such as light, radio, and microwaves, effectively hiding an object from detection.
Counters Radar-Guided Weapons
According to the university, the system enhances the user’s counter-synthetic aperture radar imaging capability, providing effective protection from radar-guided missiles.
Radars typically transmit radio or microwaves that bounce off of an object and reveal its presence.
The system reportedly also features an adaptive cloaking capability for a dynamic response to various radar frequencies.
Moreover, its lightweight and scalable design allows easy integration on a range of military platforms, such as fighter jets, naval vessels, drones, and military installations.
“Tailored for modern warfare, this cutting-edge innovation strengthens operational capabilities, providing India’s armed forces with advanced tools to maintain strategic superiority and ensure national security,” the engineering institute stated.
“Its advanced design is tailored for operational imperatives, making it a crucial asset in modern warfare and surveillance.”
Indigenous Product
The system has been extensively tested since 2019 across a range of conditions.
Over 90 percent of the material for the system has been sourced locally and the Indian firm Meta Tattva Systems has been licensed to oversee its production and deployment.
The system is being acquired by the Indian Armed Forces.
“This revolutionary camouflage technology represents a bold leap forward in countering one of the greatest operational challenges militaries face today: the pervasive and precise reach of modern intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems,” Indian Air Force Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit remarked, highlighting the system’s significance.
Indian Air Force Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar called the technology a “critical milestone” because “the future uses of this material are already visible on battlefields in conflicts around the world.”
“In technologically contested environments, we have seen how battlefield transparency slows down progress of operations.”
