Actually, you can build a really good replica from a composite of higher resolution pictures. There’s a lot information in the kinds of images we get in this forum, more than enough to get accurate dimensions.
H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
- Start date
Based on the experience with the B-2, I suspect planes like the H 20 will not exhibit obvious shaping flaws apparent in photo taken at distance with amateur equipment or form commercial satellites. The alignment of the inevitable lobes of high radar signature will be obvious from low to medium resolution photos taken from commercial satellites and from the ground by the inevitable spotter while the plane must fly. but the actual size of the lobes and the size of radar return outside the lobes can not be deduced from such image as might be taken of high flying aircraft, or on staged publicity photos. It would require extensive close up inspection of the aircraft to deduce.
The USAF has permitted voluminous photographic documentation of the B-2 from medium to long distance, and an occasion close up of an innocuous section of the aircraft, but not allowed the sort of close up photo of routine maintenance that might provide extensive view of texture of surface and seam treatment over a large portion of the aircraft. I thing H20 will be in much the same boat.
The USAF has permitted voluminous photographic documentation of the B-2 from medium to long distance, and an occasion close up of an innocuous section of the aircraft, but not allowed the sort of close up photo of routine maintenance that might provide extensive view of texture of surface and seam treatment over a large portion of the aircraft. I thing H20 will be in much the same boat.
Except that stealth aircraft also have countermeasure systems installed. That is to say, they are built to detect emissions and alter their trajectory to provide a minimal return to known emitters.
The bigger question would be one of bistatic radar; i.e, datalinked F-35s together providing a sensor sweep, but in that case it implies that J-20s (or future J-20 models) can potentially do the same thing.
I disagree here, given that a test model of the B-2 is basically up for public display in certain locales.
Moreover, consider that the Chinese operate spy satellites with high optical resolution. If the H-20 flies, it should be possible for US spy satellites to both provide optical and radar detection of the aircraft.
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The other aspect regarding the H-20 is that we know that it's not as pure a stealth design as the B-2, being more similar to the F-22 in terms of stealth shaping due to the "crank" of the wing. That effectively creates a corner reflector which is exploitable at certain angles, albeit not providing a true 90 degree corner reflector. It makes it actually less likely that the H-20 will be publicly revealed, but then again, the angle of this crank can be revealed by satellite photography.
If you can avoid it best to increase your margin for error rather than depend only on countermeasures.
We've already gotten partial models of projected H-20 designs. You also have to remember that American intelligence isn't as incompetent as you seem to make it seem.
A comparably important American airframe has already been leaked in parts.
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Anyways, this is really a wait and see, I guess. If it is a high-payload bomber, it's likely it'll be divulged as part of influencing regional strategic calculuses.
Partial models are pretty meaningless. That’s like saying we know anything about the RCS of a cube because we know the dimensions of one of its corners.
Regardless of how competent American intelligence is you need high resolution pictures from multiple angles to build an accurate model. Unless you think CIA field agents are able to get access to PLA air bases where they can get those kinds of pictures, that’s not happening if there’s a crackdown on open source pictures.
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I don't think there exists such a satellite with such capabilities.
Most of these stealth aircrafts are tested during the night. It's impossible for Satellites to detect optically. Radar ( if you meant EM waves...) It should be near impossible.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
I think he meant SAR satellites.
I mean, it’s not like satellites flying in predictable orbits or anything that would allow China to not have H20s out in the open when they are scheduled to overfly the airfield is it? And of course China has never demonstrated any capabilities to jam and dazzle unfriendly optical recon satellites.
Doesn't matter; if you look at Chinese F-22 models, there's likely no consideration for the application of RAM and transparent composites. For instance, the F-22 is known to have a major corner reflector between the fixed inlet and the fuselage. Guess what? Lockmart slapped a ton of RAM there to minimize refelctions from the fixed inlet.
Likewise, a photo of the H-20 will not show you where the composites and RAM are placed, nor how thick the composites or RAM are.