In modern aerial warfare, the rapid evolution of advanced detection technologies has elevated the enhancement of stealth capabilities to a core priority in the research and development of high-performance combat aircraft.The aero-engine nozzle is the main source of the backward radar scattering characteristic signals of combat aircraft. Aiming at the problem that the traditional evaluation methods for the radar stealth performance of nozzles are not completely accurate, the iterative physical optics method was used to calculate and analyze the radar cross section(RCS) of the three different S-shaped nozzles: single S-bend, double S-bend, and multi-dimensional deflected S-bend building on monopulse radar detection theory, the detection range and detection probability of each nozzle were systematically analyzed under X-band and C-band radar illumination, within predefined detection angle ranges in both the elevation and azimuth planes. Key results indicate that under the specified radar detection conditions, the detection probability and detection range of the nozzles exhibit a strong correlation with the RCS fluctuation data. Specifically, under a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the multi-dimensional S-shaped nozzle demonstrates the lowest detection probability in both detection planes under horizontal polarization. In the C band, the detection probability of the multi-dimensional S-shaped nozzle increases, while the double S-shaped nozzle exhibits a lower detection probability. When the detection probability is fixed, the multi-dimensional S-shaped nozzle consistently exhibits the shortest detection range in both X-band and C-band, confirming its superior stealth performance in reducing radar detectability.
GUO Xiao, XIA Xin-ru, LI Yue-feng, WEN Zhen-hua, WU Meng-ke, ZHAO Zhu-jun.
Evaluation of Stealth Performance of Different Types of S-shaped Nozzles Based on Detection Probability[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(8): 3531-3542 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503049
AnderssonK. Modeling the impact of surface emissivity on the military utility of attack aircraft[J]. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2017, 65(6): 133-140.
[2]
MarcusC, AnderssonK, AkerlindC. Balancing the radar and long wavelength infrared signature properties in concept analysis of combat aircraft: a proof of concept[J]. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2017, 71(12): 733-741.
[3]
桑建华. 飞行器隐身技术[M]. 北京: 航空工业出版社, 2013.
[4]
SangJianhua. Stealth technology for aircraft[M]. Beijing: Aviation Industry Press, 2013.
ChengRonghui, ZhangZhishu, RuanWenbo, et al. Core key technologies of advanced aircraft engine[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2025, 46(12): 6-31.
[7]
SeokH R, SeongJ J, RhoS M. Effects of cross-sectional shape on the low observability of double serpentine nozzles[J]. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2024, 155: 109593.
[8]
JungK J, AnS, AhnJ, et al. Aerodynamic and RCS comparison of two generic UCAV nozzles[C]// 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and Inc/Usncursi Radio Science Meeting. New York: IEEE, 2024: 1915-1916.
[9]
HeY B, YangQ Z, GaoX. Comprehensive optimization design of aerodynamic and electromagnetic scattering characteristics of serpentine nozzle[J]. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2021, 34(3): 118-128.
[10]
孙啸林. 低可探测S弯喷管设计及性能评估方法研究[D]. 西安: 西北工业大学, 2018.
[11]
SunXiaolin. Investigation on design method and performance estimation of low observable S-shaped nozzle[D]. Xi’an: Northwestern Polytechnical University, 2018.
SunPeng, ZhouLi, WangZhanxue. Effects of aspect ratio on flow characteristic of serpentine nozzle for turbofan[J]. Journal of Propulsion Technology, 2022, 43(6): 122-132.
ZhangLe, ZhouZhou, XuXiaoping. Area and centerline distribution on stealth design of S-shaped inlet[J]. Journal of System Simulation. 2018, 30(8): 2999-3006.
LiJunping, WangYulong, WangDalei, et al. Design of S-shaped two-dimensional nozzle for turbofan engines and evaluation of its stealth performance[C]// Proceedings of the 6th Aerospace Propulsion Joint Conference and the 42nd Technical Exchange Meeting of the Third Professional Information Network of China Aerospace (Volume VII). Beijing: Beijing Institute of Power Machinery, 2022: 228-235.
FuLi, WangJunhua, GongYu, et al. Impact of centerline shape of S-shaped two-dimensional convergent nozzle on radar stealth design[J]. Aeroengine, 2022, 48(6): 7-10.
[24]
CostleyA, ChristensenR S, LeishmanR C, et al. Sensitivity of the probability of radar detection to radar state uncertainty[J]. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 2023, 59(6): 9740-9747.
[25]
LiY, WuZ, HuangP L, et al. A new method for analyzing integrated stealth ability of penetration aircraft[J]. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2010, 23(2): 187-193.
[26]
LuS Z, MengZ J, HuangJ, et al. Study on quantum radar detection probability based on flying-wing stealth aircraft[J]. Sensors, 2022, 22(16): 5944.
GaoXin, LiLinyuan, ZhanYunpeng, et al. Research on coordinated detection of airborne early-warning radar[J]. Fire Control Radar Technology, 2023, 52(3): 56-62.
LiHaomin, ZhaoQiang, WangGuangyuan, et al. Simulation analysis of the penetration effect of UAV covering shore-to-ship missiles[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2024, 24(8): 3459-3465.
LiuZhanqiang, LiangLujiang, HuQiyong, et al. Evaluation on aircraft stealth performance based on radar detection probability[J]. Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, 2017, 49(11): 158-166.
SunMingfang, LüXu, ZhaoRenjie, et al. Adaptive extended Kalman filter algorithm based on innovation sequence for radar target tracking[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2023, 23(9): 3738-3743.
MahafzaB R, ElsherbeniA Z. MATLAB simulations for radar system design[M]. ZhuGuofu, HuangXiaotao, LiXiangyang, et al, translated. Beijing: Publishing House of Electronics Industry, 2009: 52-82.
MengYubo, ShiJingwei, ZhouLi, et al. Design method for multi-dimensional deflected serpentine nozzle with abnormal exit[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2024, 45(8): 109-122.
[45]
ShahM A, TokgozC, SalauB A. Radar cross section prediction using iterative physical optics with physical theory of diffraction[J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2022, 70(6): 4683-4690.
YinLiang, LiuHongjie, ZhaoXiaofeng, et al. Research on AN/TPY-2 radar range and jamming based on radar equation[J]. Systems Engineering and Electronics, 2018, 40(1): 50-57.
LüJiuming, JiaRuiming, LiuXiaogang. Performance analysis of the AN/MPQ-53 phased array radar[C]// Proceedings of the 2009 National Antenna Annual Conference (Part 1). Beijing: PLA Academy of Equipment Command & Technology, 2009: 810-815.