Active Stealth Method based on an Intelligent Electromagnetic Jamming Strategy for Airborne Platforms

Current airborne platforms rely primarily on passive stealth techniques, such as shape optimization and radar-absorbing material coatings, to reduce their radar signatures. However, due to several technical bottlenecks, their stealth performance remains constrained in terms of multidirectional and wideband effectiveness. As a complementary approach, active stealth has gradually become a research focus. To enhance the stealth performance of airborne platforms against distributed radar network detection systems, this paper proposes an active stealth method based on a self-defense/escort intelligent electromagnetic jamming strategy inspired by the principles of cognitive electronic warfare. The proposed method aims to reduce radar receivers’ perception of both electromagnetic interference and airborne targets. Through flexible jamming beam steering and multiband jamming coverage, it achieves an equivalent reduction of the target Radar Cross-Section (RCS) over multiple directions and wide frequency bands via an adaptive electromagnetic jamming strategy. Specifically, a reinforcement learning mechanism is introduced to construct an electronic warfare strategy generation framework. First, the platform’s onboard or escort cognitive electronic warfare system is used to sense, in real time, the electromagnetic radiation signals of external radar networked detection systems, and a comprehensive observation space is established by integrating prior intelligence and other relevant data. Then, an action space is formulated based on jamming parameters, such as bandwidth, power, and radiation direction. In addition, a multilevel reward function is designed to influence radar working states and reduce the risk of electromagnetic jamming exposure. Finally, a reinforcement learning algorithm is employed to train the agent and optimize the intelligent jamming strategies. Simulation results show that, compared with conventional passive stealth techniques and fixed jamming strategies, the proposed method effectively reduces both the detection range of radar networks and their perception of electromagnetic interference. The maximum average equivalent RCS reduction achieved for multiband radar stations is 9.4 dB, while the concealment rate of electromagnetic interference remains above 97.83%. Moreover, the general jamming parameters can be dynamically adjusted in response to changes in the external electromagnetic environment, substantially improving the radar stealth performance of airborne platforms and providing a reference for the development of future active stealth technologies.