Volcanic Spray Makes Drones Invisible to Radar

A novel spray-applied coating, dubbed Kürşat 3.0, promises to significantly diminish drone detectability by radar systems. Developed by a Turkish defense research firm over seven years, this innovative material utilizes readily available volcanic rocks, basalt and pumice, as its primary components. Unlike conventional stealth technologies requiring expensive composite panels or complex modifications, this coating is applied directly to a drone's surface.

Reported testing indicates that Kürşat 3.0 can achieve an attenuation of 43.2 decibels. This level of signal reduction means a drone's radar echo could be tens of thousands of times weaker, potentially rendering it invisible to radar networks from significant distances. The natural microscopic pore structures within the volcanic materials are key, trapping incoming radar waves and converting them into heat.

The ease of spray application offers advantages over traditional methods, avoiding seams and coverage gaps on curved surfaces. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of drones to expanded radar and electronic warfare systems. A cost-effective, lightweight coating like this could make stealth capabilities accessible for many affordable unmanned systems. However, independent verification of the reported attenuation figures and operational radar frequencies is still pending.