China Claims New Airship Can Detect Deadly US Stealth Jets 1,240 Miles Away

Chinese researchers from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics (CIOMP) have reportedly developed an advanced airship drone capable of detecting stealth aircraft from an astonishing 1,240 miles (2,000 km) away.

Unlike conventional radar-based detection, these drones rely on specialized infrared sensors that can identify stealth aircraft with greater accuracy. If these claims hold, it could expose a significant weakness in stealth technology, posing new challenges for fifth-generation fighter jets like the U.S. F-35 and F-22.

CIOMP, a key institution in China’s missile and space programs, developed this technology after extensive infrared signature analysis in simulated combat environments over Taiwan. The research team discovered that stealth aircraft, despite their radar-absorbing coatings, emit infrared signatures that can be exploited for detection. According to their findings, the jet’s exterior cools to around 281 Kelvin (7.85°C or 46°F), effectively masking it from traditional detection systems. However, the aircraft’s engine plume, reaching nearly 1,000 Kelvin, produces infrared emissions significantly stronger than its airframe.

By focusing on a specific infrared wavelength range of 2.8-4.3 micrometers, where atmospheric interference is minimal, researchers aimed to track these heat signatures from a considerable distance. To achieve this, the team developed mercury-cadmium-telluride detectors and 300mm aperture telescopes, which they mounted on high-altitude, unmanned airships hovering at around 12.4 miles (20 km). These stratospheric drones, when positioned correctly, could detect stealth aircraft from the side or rear over vast distances. However, due to the aircraft’s reduced forward heat signature, frontal detection is limited to approximately 217.5 miles (350 km).

The researchers proposed that deploying a constellation of such airships could create an early warning system for key areas of China’s airspace. Smaller swarms of these drones could also form an overlapping surveillance grid, enhancing detection capabilities.

“This platform hovers at 20km altitude or higher for months, beyond the reach of most surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets,” stated Tian Hao, an associate researcher at CIOMP. Operating at an optimal altitude, these airships sit in a strategic ‘sweet spot’—closer to potential targets than satellites yet higher than airborne early warning and control (AWAC) aircraft. Furthermore, the team suggested that even if up to 50% of the drones were lost, the system would still function effectively.

Despite their potential, these airships have notable weaknesses. They are relatively slow, traveling at only 74 mph (120 kph), and their massive 150-meter size makes them an easy target for specialized interceptors. However, their affordability and ease of deployment could significantly impact stealth aircraft operations, potentially discouraging their use in areas covered by these drone constellations.

If these claims are validated, China’s new airship drones could alter the balance of stealth warfare, challenging the effectiveness of some of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.