China's New Spy Drone with 310-Mile Radar Range Capable of Tracking US Stealth Jets

China has developed an advanced high-altitude airship designed to detect stealth aircraft, such as the U.S. F-22 and F-35 fighters, from nearly 2,000 kilometers away.

Key Features of the Airship:

• Size and Structure: Measuring approximately 150 meters in length, the unmanned airship operates at altitudes around 20 kilometers, positioning it between traditional aircraft and satellites.

• Detection Capabilities: Equipped with specialized infrared sensors, it can identify the heat signatures of stealth aircraft engines, which emit mid-wave infrared radiation three times stronger than their airframes. This allows the airship to detect an F-35's rear and side thermal signatures from over 1,800 kilometers away.

• Technological Advantages: The airship utilizes mercury-cadmium-telluride detectors alongside multiple 300mm aperture telescopes, focusing on the 2.8-4.3 micrometer wavelength range where atmospheric interference is minimal.

• Operational Benefits: Operating in a "sweet spot" higher than traditional airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft but closer than satellites, the airship offers a cost-effective surveillance solution. Its relatively low production cost means that even with potential losses, China's surveillance capabilities would remain robust.

While the airship's large size and slower speed (approximately 120 km/h or 74 mph) may present vulnerabilities, its ability to detect stealth aircraft at such extended ranges represents a significant advancement in aerial surveillance technology.