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China ,U.S 

In a recent publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chinese researchers associated with the country's air force unveiled a new radar technology with significant implications for the detection of stealth aircraft, particularly targeting the United States' F-22 fighter jet.

The team, led by Xie Junwei from the Air Force Engineering University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, detailed their findings, highlighting the capabilities of their innovative radar system. Contrary to conventional radar systems' limitations in detecting stealth aircraft, particularly the F-22 known for its minuscule radar cross-section (RCS) of about 0.16 square inches, this new technology boasts a substantial increase in radar signature.

The researchers elucidated that their radar system effectively magnifies the radar signature of a stealth fighter to a level comparable to a typical fighter jet with an RCS exceeding 6 square meters. Such enhancement, equivalent to a 60,000 times increase in the F-22's radar signature, marks a notable departure from conventional radar capabilities.

Moreover, the team claimed successful real-time tracking of the F-22 within a vast combat zone spanning approximately 24,300 square miles, with an exceptional accuracy margin of less than 65 feet. This precise tracking data enables the potential guidance of interceptor fighters or air-defense missiles, effectively neutralizing the F-22's stealth advantage.

The technological approach employed by the Chinese researchers integrates multiple radars scanning from different angles, augmented by "smart resource scheduling." This dynamic resource allocation mechanism optimizes radar detection towards the most vulnerable aspects of a stealth aircraft, maximizing the intensity and accuracy of radar signature detection.

Remarkably, the radar system necessitates only three radars, deployable across various platforms including land, islands, ships, or aircraft. Such versatility enhances its operational adaptability and efficacy in diverse combat scenarios.

The implications of this breakthrough technology are profound, particularly concerning the combat effectiveness of the F-22. As the F-22 heavily relies on its stealth capabilities to evade enemy air defenses and execute precision strikes, China's new radar system poses a formidable challenge by nullifying this critical advantage.

With the ability to compute precise coordinates and movement speeds of the F-22 within fractions of a second, coupled with detailed tracking capabilities of individual stealth fighters within a formation, this technology reshapes the landscape of aerial combat.

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, this development underscores China's strategic intent to assert dominance, particularly in contested areas like the South China Sea and the Western Pacific Ocean. Moreover, with increased production of its J-20 stealth fighters, China aims to counter perceived threats posed by American F-22s stationed in neighboring regions.

This technological race in aerial warfare signifies a broader trend of evolving capabilities and strategies, with both adversaries continuously seeking to gain advantages in detection and defense capabilities. As such, the unveiling of this radar technology marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of modern aerial warfare.