Secret UK stealth plane project revealed

NeoNSX

NeoNSX

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The aircraft was completed in 1999, after five years of work. The L20 million programme, codenamed Replica, was jointly funded by BAE Systems and the UK Ministry of Defence._ Replica was never intended to be as difficult to detect as the exotic and extremely expensive pure stealth aircraft such as the US F-117a and B-2. But UK stealth specialists are said to have achieved their goal of striking a balance between low observability and cost. It also demonstrated British expertise in the complex world of stealth technology.

The entire Story here:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993590


Note: They use carbon fibre for panels on the plane!!! what happens it it get shot at? :eek:
Also, it's so stealthy the date the article was written was 4/Jul/03! :p
 
wow, what's with the funky date?

Also, I think the B-2 stealth bomber is built with carbon fiber as well, to make it lighter and stronger than titanium. Carbon fiber also absorbs radar better.
 
NSX_Dreamer said:
wow, what's with the funky date?

Also, I think the B-2 stealth bomber is built with carbon fiber as well, to make it lighter and stronger than titanium. Carbon fiber also absorbs radar better.
Click to expand...

i can understand the B-2 using CF... you wouldn't fly one of those things into a 'hot zone' ... or if you did, it would be VERY high altitude & no chance of any hostile air.

but after seeing photos of the Ferrari F50 accidents and its CF 'splintering'...hmm... just gets me thinking; esp. when aerodynamics are critical for flying a plane (ie. if u lose parts of ur wing, it's bye bye!)
 
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