As part of the “AIR 2030” program, the Swiss confederation is very seriously studying the possibility of deploying not a conventional radar system, but passive radars, using electromagnetic radiation linked to human activities.
This type of radar has many advantages, including being able to detect “stealth” aircraft, but also passive operation. Unlike traditional active radars, passive radars are not detectable by the detected aircraft, which cannot, therefore, implement countermeasures such as jamming or decoys.
On the other hand, to be effective, these radars require a high density of electromagnetic radiation of human origin, such as that generated by the mobile telephone network, or TNT. This density is effective on Swiss territory.
However, a passive system cannot be used as the only solution, and a traditional, active system must be retained to accommodate all scenarios.
In any case, and as we have already observed, the detection tools for stealth aircraft like the F22, the F35 or the Su-57 are expected to become widespread in the coming decade, so that this stealth will no longer represent significant advantages beyond 2030. An element to keep in mind when you are preparing to order a device much more expensive than the others, and which will have to last 50 years, on the promise of a stealth which will not exceed 10 years.
