Stealth ship

A stealth ship is a ship which employs stealth technology construction techniques in an effort to ensure that it cannot or can hardly be detected by radar. These techniques borrow heavily from stealth aircraft technology, though there are some aspects, such as wake reduction, that are unique to their design.

Related Topics:
Ship - Stealth technology - Radar - Stealth aircraft

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As of 2005, three surface vessels employ this technology - the Swedish Visby (corvette), the British Type 45 Destroyer, and the U.S. Navy's DD(X) destroyer.

Related Topics:
Swedish - Visby (corvette) - British - Type 45 Destroyer - U.S. Navy - DD(X) destroyer

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The Visby is designed to elude visual detection, radar detection, acoustic detection, and infrared detection. Its surface is constructed of two layers of carbon fibre sandwiched over PVC foam, which renders its electromagnetic signal virtually invisible. By avoiding right angles in the ship's design, the craft can also escape radar detection.

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Britain's Type 45 Anti Air Warfare Destroyer is similar to the Visby, though it employs traditional steel instead of carbon fibre. Like the Visby, its design reduces the use of right angles. It is also conjectured that this craft will be capable of generating an artificial mist, thus being able to disguise itself as a fog bank.

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The U.S. DD(X) also employs radar-deflecting design. As well, its inward-sloping "tumblehome" hull design reduces its radar cross-section. The Sea Shadow was an early U.S. exploration of stealth ship technology.

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