Experts puzzle over reflective coating on China’s newest stealth fighter

Photos of China's J-35 stealth fighter showing an unusually reflective, mirror-like fuselage coating have set off speculation among aviation watchers about whether Beijing is testing new radar-absorbing material. The images surfaced online in mid-August, showing sections of the aircraft with a near-polished finish instead of the typical matte gray.

Experts note that visible-light reflectivity has little bearing on radar detectability, since the wavelengths involved are wildly different. The U.S. has run its own experiments with reflective coatings, including on F-22 and F-35C aircraft, mainly aimed at reducing infrared signature rather than radar return.

The bigger practical question, per the report, may be whether such a coating can survive the salt air and grinding wear of carrier operations, a problem that has dogged U.S. stealth jets as well.

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