Researcher develops 'spray-on' stealth coating for drones

A Turkish researcher and his small defense firm have developed a sprayable radar absorbent material (RAM) designed for drones and small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Named Kürşat 3.0, the material ... Read original →

Kürşat 3.0 marks a pivot from structural stealth to surface-functionalized radar absorption, disrupting traditional supply chains reliant on carbon composites and frequency-selective surfaces. By leveraging basalt—a non-strategic, abundant material—it bypasses Western control over rare-earth-dependent RAMs, potentially eroding the technological moat held by U.S. and EU defense firms. However, scalable deployment will likely trigger Wassenaar Arrangement restrictions on spray-on stealth tech, especially targeting UAV exporters like Turkey, Iran, and Taiwan, China. In response, Raytheon and Elbit Systems are expected to fast-track AI-driven multi-band radar algorithms that detect subtle scattering anomalies from coated drones. Within 18 months, EM battlefield dynamics will shift toward a ‘coating vs. anti-coating’ arms race, compelling UAV architects to prioritize electromagnetic compatibility over pure aerodynamics—boosting demand for mmWave SoCs and low-power radar warning receivers. Yet without proven thermal stability or environmental resilience, such coatings may remain confined to attritable, single-mission platforms.