RCS Computation and Analysis of a Diamond-shaped Thermal Jacket for Gun Barrels

Abstract A research on RCS simulations and analysis of a diamond-shaped thermal jacket was carried out, to make thermal jackets on tanks less detectable to known radar observation methods. Based on the principles of radar stealth technology, a diamond-shaped thermal jacket was modeled. The RCS simulation models were established by employing the physical optics method (PO), the monostatic RCS characteristics of the diamond-shaped thermal jacket at high frequency region was investigated, and the major components affecting the radar scattering characteristics were evaluated. The original end part played a major role in the radar scattering characteristics of the diamond-shaped thermal jacket. The RCS simulation of thermal jackets in various shapes, including the cylinder-shaped, the original diamond-shaped, and the diamond-shaped without the original end part are carried out, and a comparative evaluation of the schemes is provided. The results show that trans-shaping the cylinder-shaped model to the diamond-shaped model is a method to effectively reduce the average RCS of the thermal jackets in the frontal and lateral directions, improve the overall stealth performance of tank guns. The work is beneficial for design and evaluation concerning about the shape stealth technology of thermal jackets for gun barrels.