China’s stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-35, have made a significant breakthrough in coating durability, not just relying on modern materials science but drawing inspiration from ancient silk weaving techniques that date back 3,000 years. Media reports indicate that Chinese scientists have applied the principles of ancient jacquard looms to develop a new type of radar-absorbing material, making the stealth fighter surfaces more durable and smooth, further enhancing their stealth capabilities.
This technology was developed by China Aerospace Corporation (CASIC) in collaboration with researchers from Tianjin University of Technology. It finds its inspiration in ancient silk weaving techniques, with the core concept derived from the jacquard loom technology of the Han Dynasty. The jacquard loom, a textile tool dating back to the Shang Dynasty 3,000 years ago, uses precise yarn arrangements to weave complex geometric patterns into fabric. Scientists applied this principle to stealth materials, creating a “double-sided jacquard” structure that provides the aircraft coatings with enhanced resistance to wear and better stealth performance.
In a further report, the well-known Chinese military self-media outlet “Military Sub-Dimension” pointed out that this material integrates conductive yarns into the textile matrix, forming a geometric structure capable of effectively absorbing radar waves. Its basic structure includes a quartz fiber dielectric base layer and a resonant circuit made of stainless steel yarns, which converts electromagnetic energy into heat and disperses it. Each conductive yarn is precisely designed, similar to how ancient weavers arranged silk threads to create intricate dragon or cloud patterns, effectively guiding and capturing radar signals. Chinese scientists have drawn inspiration from the 3,000-year-old silk weaving technique to create a new radar-absorbing material for the J-20 fighter.
Data shows that China’s new material can absorb 90.6% of radar waves in the 8-26 GHz frequency spectrum, far surpassing traditional coatings in stealth performance. Additionally, the material boasts excellent mechanical strength, withstanding 93.5 MPa of tensile stress, significantly improving durability.
Compared to the stealth coatings on the U.S. F-22 and F-35, China’s new material offers several advantages. Some analysts point out that traditional stealth coatings use a layered stacking method, which degrades over time or under external pressure, leading to high maintenance costs for U.S. stealth fighters. U.S. Air Force ground crews need to reapply the stealth coating every three weeks on average, causing the operational cost of the F-22 and F-35 to soar to over $60,000 per hour.
However, China has solved this problem with the “double-sided jacquard” structure, reducing the maintenance requirements and operational costs of stealth fighters, enabling them to maintain stable stealth performance during long-duration missions.
