We often think of a perfect radiator of energy as being black, e.g. black body radiation, so why are stealth fighters and spy planes like the SR71 black?
Added 3/25/2005 01:37PM (PST):
It seems that for superfast planes like the SR71 the frictional heat they generate should be visible under infrared. Background infrared under a clear sky should only be 4K.
Added 3/29/2005 08:40AM (PST):
I found the following links pretty informative:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread127850/pg1
http://www.answers.com/topic/stealth-technology
Clearly, there are multiple aspects to stealth, and being invisible depends on to what.
Added 3/25/2005 01:37PM (PST):
It seems that for superfast planes like the SR71 the frictional heat they generate should be visible under infrared. Background infrared under a clear sky should only be 4K.
Added 3/29/2005 08:40AM (PST):
I found the following links pretty informative:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread127850/pg1
http://www.answers.com/topic/stealth-technology
Clearly, there are multiple aspects to stealth, and being invisible depends on to what.