Aircraft difficult to be detected by radar or stealth became widely known when it was used during the 1991 Gulf War. The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk with its square body was designed not to reflect radar signals, making it difficult to detect. As a result communications systems, and power stations in Iraq were bombed before conventional military strikes.
After more than 33 years, the F-117 is considered obsolete as it is being replaced by newer stealth aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor. So far the technology is difficult to detect radar only used on fighter aircraft. But the United States Air Force (USAF) now needs refueling aircraft with similar capabilities for future battlefields.
Lockheed-Martin yesterday shared a concept design for their radar-resistant tank aircraft. At a glance it has a design similar to the Northrop YF-23 but on a larger scale. Unlike other tanker aircraft, the aircraft under the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) program is smaller with a flatter body.
NGAS will operate on the border and can enter enemy airspace to supply fuel to fighter planes when needed. Current refueling tankers should operate further afield to get fighters out of the conflict zone.
The United States also wants to have a cargo ship that is difficult to detect by radar and the design concept has been shared by Boeing. The concept of this cargo plane is more strange because it uses a design of wings combined with the body.