Orion Technology

Here are some tips for designing stealth drones:

• Use radar-absorbent materials. Materials like carbon fiber, kevlar, and special radar-absorbing paints can help reduce a drone’s radar signature. These materials absorb radar waves and prevent strong reflections.
• Shape the drone for low observability. Smooth, rounded shapes without sharp edges help avoid radar reflections. Avoid flat surfaces, rectangular shapes and reflective materials. Bomber-style shapes often work well.
• Consider radar-scattering components. Things like big propellers, antennas, lights, and other protrusions can scatter radar waves and make a drone more visible. Minimize them or design them to avoid strong radar reflections.
• Use a small and light drone. Bigger drones have larger radar signatures and are harder to make stealthy. Keep the overall size and weight as small as possible for your needs.
• Choose silent propulsion. Electric motors and propellers generate less noise than gas engines. And variable pitch propellers can be spun at different speeds for optimal performance and reduced noise. This makes the drone less detectable via audio means.
• Consider engine exhaust. The exhaust from drone engines can sometimes be visible or give away the presence of the drone. Use electric motors instead of gas when possible. Silence unused engines in cruise flight.
• Equip infrared cameras and sensors. Infrared cameras and sensors allow stealth drones to see in low light without visible electromagnetic emissions that could give away the drone’s presence on IR. This helps stealth drones avoid detection while still maintaining situational awareness.
• Reflect signals internally. Some drones are designed to internally reflect radio frequency signals before broadcasting them. This bends the signal around the edges of the drone to cloak its presence and avoid detection by radio-based methods. But this also reduces connectivity which is a trade-off.
• Practice covert takeoffs and landings. How a drone takes off and lands can also influence its stealthiness. Slow, stealthy takeoffs and landings that avoid abrupt movements, loud noises and visible prop wash help stealth drones avoid detection at critical times.
• Consider silent wing designs. Some experimental stealth drones use silent wing designs with no propellers. These design completely eliminate propeller noise and allow very undetectable flight, but they are harder to control and limit top speed. Silent wings could improve stealth for future designs though.