In a significant development that could undermine the United States’ ambitious missile defense plans, Chinese scientists have unveiled a new stealth material designed to evade both microwave and infrared detection technologies. This advancement poses a potential challenge to President Donald Trump’s proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system, which aims to shield the U.S. from aerial threats posed by adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Announced by President Trump from the Oval Office, the Golden Dome is envisioned as a multi-domain shield combining land, sea, and space-based technologies to intercept missiles, drones, and potentially even space-launched weapons. “Golden Dome will protect our homeland,” Trump declared, emphasizing its capability to intercept missiles launched from any part of the world, including space .
The system plans to deploy a vast network of satellites equipped with sensors and interceptors to detect and neutralize missile threats. However, the ambitious timeline and budget have drawn skepticism. While Trump aims for operational readiness by January 2029, experts suggest that the system may only be capable of demonstrations under ideal conditions by 2028 . Moreover, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the total cost could exceed $831 billion over two decades .
Amidst the development of the Golden Dome, China’s recent advancements in stealth technology could potentially render parts of the U.S. missile defense system less effective. A research team led by Professor Li Qiang at Zhejiang University has developed a high-performance stealth material capable of evading both microwave and infrared detection, even at temperatures as high as 700°C (1,292°F) .
This material, designed for use on high-speed military platforms like missiles and hypersonic aircraft, addresses the longstanding issue of stealth coatings losing effectiveness at high temperatures. Traditional stealth materials often degrade when exposed to the extreme heat generated by engine exhaust or aerodynamic friction. In contrast, China’s new material maintains its structural integrity and stealth capabilities under such conditions.
Laboratory tests have shown that the material significantly reduces thermal emissions, with radiation intensity decreasing by 37.2% in the short-wave infrared band and by 63.6% in the mid-wave infrared range at peak heat. Its layered structure includes a specialized “meta-surface” engineered to control how radar and infrared waves interact with it, enhancing its stealth properties .
In addition to this breakthrough, Chinese researchers have also turned to ancient techniques to enhance stealth capabilities. A team led by Professor Jiang Qian has adapted the 3,000-year-old Jacquard weaving technique to create a new stealth material. By integrating conductive yarns into a warp-knitted “double-sided jacquard” structure, the material absorbs 90.6% of radar waves in the 8-26GHz spectrum, outperforming conventional coatings .
This innovative approach not only improves radar absorption but also extends the service life of stealth coatings. While the U.S. F-22 Raptor’s radar-absorbing materials require reapplication every three weeks, China’s jacquard-woven stealth material reportedly extends service life to 18 months, reducing maintenance costs by 75% .
The development of these advanced stealth materials by China raises concerns about the effectiveness of the Golden Dome system. If Chinese missiles and aircraft can evade detection by the U.S.’s missile defense technologies, the strategic advantage provided by the Golden Dome could be compromised.
Furthermore, the Golden Dome has faced criticism from international adversaries. China and Russia have issued joint statements describing the strategy as “deeply destabilizing” and a potential trigger for space-based arms conflict. North Korea labeled the plan as a scenario for “outer space nuclear war” and an embodiment of “America First” arrogance .
As the U.S. invests heavily in the development of the Golden Dome missile defense system, China’s advancements in stealth technology present a significant challenge. The ability of Chinese missiles and aircraft to evade detection could undermine the effectiveness of the U.S.’s defense shield, raising questions about the viability of such large-scale defense projects in the face of rapidly evolving military technologies.
