The Case Of The Missing F-117 Parts (2001)

It was the basis for a groundbreaking story about Russian stealth and counterstealth technology that ran in the October 8, 2001, issue. AW&ST discussed the development of anti-stealth radars: the early Nebo VHF radar at MAKS in 2001 was the ancestor of the huge active electronically scanned array that was shown in 2013. Stealth modifications to tactical aircraft were confirmed a couple of years later when engineers from Moscow's Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electromagnetics spoke at a London conference about radar cross-section (RCS) reduction work on the Sukhoi Su-27 family.

Later, a Russian TV documentary disclosed the existence of the defense ministry's 2nd Central Scientific & Research Institute (2 TzNII) and its facilities for testing RCS models of the F-117 and many other aircraft. 

(Yes, that photo was taken in Russia.) 

The same research led to the development of the Sukhoi T-50 and will contribute to the PAK-DA bomber. 

► Read the October 8, 2001 cover story: Russians Admit Testing F-117 Lost in Yugoslavia

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