Chinese arms companies recently made multiple terahertz radiation radar systems with a technology seen by experts as an efficient air-to-ground reconnaissance tool and a potential counter to stealth aircraft.

A prototype terahertz radiation radar was successfully developed by China Electronics Technology Group Corp. (CETC) team led by scientist Li Yuanji, and a second-generation prototype is already in development, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday, citing a statement released by CETC.

The development of terahertz radiation radar is a global challenge, according to the CETC statement.





The CCTV report said that terahertz radiation had wavelengths between those of infrared rays and microwaves, a wide spectrum that would render current stealth technologies obsolete, making the radar able to detect stealth aircraft.

Stealth aircrafts usually use composite materials and radar wave-absorbing coatings, so normal radars could not effectively detect them, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times.

Terahertz radiation, on the other hand, could penetrate those materials and expose metallic parts within the aircraft, lifting its cover, Wei said.

He also noted that a terahertz radiation radar could also clearly trace the outline of an object, making it possible to even tell what type of object it was.

Experts said the terahertz radiation decays very fast in the air, meaning, the effective range of the radar is likely low and not sufficient for detecting an advanced stealth fighter jet in time before it launches attacks from beyond visual range.

Global Times