Turkish researcher Yunus İnce unveils Kürşat 3.0, a basalt‑based spray that claims up to 43 dB radar attenuation on drones—a step beyond typical 20‑30 dB RAM. The article examines the material’s composition, test methodology, how it stacks against existing stealth solutions, and which UAV operators might benefit.
What’s new
A research team led by Yunus İnce has spent seven years developing Kürşat 3.0, a spray‑on radar‑absorbent material (RAM) aimed at small unmanned aerial vehicles. The formulation mixes finely milled volcanic basalt and pumice, creating a porous matrix that, according to the team’s own footage, can shave up to 43 dB off a drone’s radar return. Conventional broadband RAMs used on larger platforms typically achieve 20‑30 dB attenuation in lab tests, so the claimed gain is significant.
Image credit: Getty Images
How it works and how it compares
Material science
Basalt and pumice are naturally rich in silicate minerals and contain a network of microscopic voids. By grinding these rocks to sub‑micron particles and suspending them in a polymer carrier, the researchers create a coating whose internal structure can trap electromagnetic energy. When a radar pulse strikes the surface, part of the wave is reflected, but a substantial fraction enters the porous matrix, bounces between the tiny cavities, and is dissipated as heat.
Test setup
The team recorded a side‑by‑side comparison of a standard quadcopter with and without the coating, using a C‑band radar operating at 5.6 GHz. The uncoated drone produced a peak return of –12 dBm; after applying Kürşat 3.0, the same radar measured –55 dBm, which translates to 43 dB of attenuation. The test was performed at a range of 150 m and under clear‑sky conditions.
Independent verification needed
While the numbers look impressive, the methodology has not yet been audited by a third‑party lab. Key variables—such as coating thickness, uniformity, and environmental durability—remain undocumented. Independent labs will need to repeat the experiment under standardized NATO RAM testing protocols (e.g., MIL‑STD‑FA‑8785) to confirm whether the attenuation holds across frequency bands and incident angles.
Comparison to existing solutions
| Feature | Kürşat 3.0 (claimed) | Typical broadband RAM (e.g., ferrite‑based) | Structural stealth (airframe shaping) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attenuation | 43 dB (single‑frequency test) | 20‑30 dB | Depends on geometry, often >30 dB at specific angles |
| Application method | Spray, cures in ~15 min | Paint or tape, requires curing ovens | Built‑in during manufacturing |
| Weight impact | ~0.8 g per 100 cm² | 1‑2 g per 100 cm² | None (design‑only) |
| Cost (estimated) | Low‑to‑moderate (rock material) | Moderate‑high (engineered composites) | High (airframe redesign) |
The spray’s low weight and quick cure time make it attractive for retrofitting existing drones, whereas traditional RAMs often add significant mass and require specialized application facilities.
Who it’s for
| User group | Why Kürşat 3.0 matters |
|---|---|
| Military hobbyists / small‑scale defense labs | Ability to add a stealth layer to off‑the‑shelf quadcopters without redesigning the airframe. |
| Commercial drone operators in contested zones | Reduces the likelihood of detection by enemy radar, extending mission survivability in high‑risk environments. |
| Research institutions | Provides a relatively inexpensive testbed for studying radar‑absorption mechanisms at low frequencies. |
| Large‑scale manufacturers | May serve as a supplemental coating for larger UAVs where full‑airframe shaping is impractical. |
It is less useful for high‑speed fixed‑wing UAVs that already incorporate aerodynamic shaping for radar deflection, and it does not address the blade‑reflection problem inherent to quadcopters. Even with the coating, exposed rotors will still scatter radar energy, so total invisibility remains out of reach.
Practical considerations
- Durability – Basalt‑based coatings can be brittle. Field testing will need to verify resistance to abrasion, UV exposure, and temperature extremes.
- Maintenance – If the coating chips, the underlying metal may become visible to radar again. A re‑spray process must be simple enough for field crews.
- Regulatory impact – Adding a stealth layer could affect compliance with civilian airspace regulations that require radar visibility for safety.
- Cost vs benefit – At an estimated $10‑$15 per square foot, the coating is cheaper than a full airframe redesign but still adds expense that must be justified by mission criticality.
Bottom line
Kürşat 3.0 introduces a potentially high‑gain, low‑weight RAM that can be applied quickly to small UAVs. If independent testing confirms the 43 dB attenuation claim across a broader frequency range, the technology could become a go‑to option for operators needing a fast, retrofit‑friendly stealth solution. Until then, the coating should be viewed as a promising prototype rather than a proven battlefield asset.
For more on the original footage and technical details, see the Defense Blog post.
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