IIT Kanpur Develops Technology to Make Military Equipment Nearly Invisible
IIT Kanpur has developed the **Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (Anālakṣhya MSCS)**, a technology designed to make military equipment, like vehicles and aircraft, nearly invisible to radar systems. By absorbing radar waves, the system conceals military assets from enemy detection, enhancing stealth and protecting against radar-guided threats like missiles.
The system uses **metamaterials** to absorb radar frequencies, including those from **Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)**. Developed by **Prof. Anantha Ramakrishna**, **Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava**, and **J. Ramkumar**, the technology was tested extensively and uses mostly domestically sourced materials.
Licensed to **Meta Tattva Systems**, it will be deployed in the Indian armed forces, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in defence technology and boosting India’s national security.
IIT Kanpur has introduced the Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (Anālakṣhya MSCS), a groundbreaking innovation aimed at enhancing India’s defence and national security.
This technology is designed to make military assets like vehicles and aircraft almost invisible to radar systems, which are commonly used for detecting objects from the sky. By absorbing radar waves, the system effectively conceals military equipment from enemy detection, providing a significant advantage in modern warfare.
How Anālakṣhya MSCS Works
The system uses advanced metamaterials to absorb a wide range of radar frequencies, including those employed by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-resolution radar used in military surveillance to detect ground objects. By reducing radar reflection, the MSCS enhances stealth capabilities, protecting military hardware from radar-guided threats like missiles.
Development and Key Contributors
Developed by a research team led by Prof. Anantha Ramakrishna, Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava, and J. Ramkumar at IIT Kanpur, the project underwent extensive lab and field testing since 2019. Over 90% of the materials used were sourced domestically, showcasing a move toward self-reliance in defence technology.
Deployment and Impact
The technology has been licensed to Meta Tattva Systems for manufacturing and deployment in the Indian armed forces. Senior defence officials, including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and Lt. General Cherish Mathson (Retd.), hailed the development as a milestone in countering modern surveillance systems and aligning with India’s push for self-sufficiency in defence innovation.
This stealth technology marks a significant leap in India’s defence capabilities, providing critical protection to military assets and strengthening national security.