The South China Morning Post has recently served up another “big scoop” for those closely following China’s military developments. This time, its source comes from the July 2024 issue of the academic journal Hot Working Technology.
A project team led by Jiang Fan, a scientist from the Equipment Department of the Chinese Navy, claimed in their paper that they have invented an iron-based stealth material that not only effectively absorbs electromagnetic waves but also reduces infrared radiation by 80%. This represents a groundbreaking method for producing stealth coatings.
The key point is that this iron-based stealth material significantly enhances the performance of stealth coatings while reducing the cost to a mere “bargain price” of 7 yuan per kilogram.
This stealth material, which combines both electromagnetic and infrared stealth capabilities, is an impressive scientific achievement. Moreover, the fact that it has been priced so affordably is unprecedented on a global scale.
According to relevant data, the B-2 “Spirit” stealth bomber’s stealth coatings use precious metals like gold and platinum, along with other high-tech materials, making them extremely expensive. The current price per kilogram remains unknown, but some media speculate that the cost of the stealth coating is three times that of gold by weight.
Given this, when news spread that Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post reported on the success of Jiang Fan’s project team in developing a stealth coating priced at what could be considered “dirt cheap,” some netizens speculated that it might be 600,000 times cheaper than the B-2 bomber’s stealth coating. This speculation may not be unfounded.
The new stealth coating developed by Jiang Fan’s team can reduce infrared signals by over 80%. Although it doesn’t match the B-2 “Spirit” stealth bomber’s 98% reduction, its current advantage lies in its extremely low cost, allowing the military to affordably procure and use it.
For example, applying the new stealth material to China’s current H-6K bombers with six pylons, H-6J bombers with eight pylons, and the aerial refueling variant H-6N bombers would require about one ton of coating, which would cost approximately 7,000 yuan.
Before the introduction of China’s stealth-capable H-20 strategic bomber, applying Jiang Fan’s team’s new stealth coating to the most advanced models of the H-6 series could grant these bombers some degree of stealth capability, greatly enhancing their penetration capabilities in wartime.
When the “Sixth Uncle” (nickname for the H-6 bombers) carries the YJ-12 heavy supersonic anti-ship missiles and the KD-20 cruise missiles, it will have the powerful operational capability to strike targets in the second island chain. Neither mobile targets at sea nor stationary targets within bases will be safe, as they will fall within the bomber’s attack range. This means the military deterrence posture of the H-6 series bombers will be tangible.
Expanding this further, China’s active tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, drones, attack helicopters, relevant missile models, aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, destroyers, frigates, and other main battle ships could all be coated with the new stealth material. A military force equipped with stealth capabilities would emerge, with a visible enhancement in combat power.
If Jiang Fan’s team could further develop their new stealth coating to reduce infrared signals by over 98%, reaching the level of the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 “Spirit” stealth bomber, even at a cost of 70 yuan per kilogram—ten times the current price—it would still have significant procurement and deployment value.
If a fully stealth-equipped army, navy, air force, and rocket force could be established, this new stealth coating would be of immense value for the strategic transformation of the People’s Liberation Army of China.
