Warbird Information Exchange

I would guess it is a measure to reduce electromagnetic emissions and/or to prevent electromagnetic interference on the system in the cockpit. It is probably to prevent emissions. It is a stealth aircraft, and you would not want to help defeat that by leaking out all kinds of different radio frequencies.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
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from what I remember, the canopy with gold flakes tinted the canopy and helped absorb radar reflecting at it.

Thanks guys. See I told you 2 very dumb questions. I have noticed the canopy is tinted is that because of the gold flakes or they just think it looks sweet.

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The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

See my post above on the tinting

This was the thinking back when the EA-6 Prowler was designed. It turned
out to be a complete waste of a lot of money but it sure does look cool.

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Don't touch my junk!!

That's because the prowler has the radar cross-section of the state of Montana. In a low-observable aircraft, this is a MUCH bigger deal.

I fly with an ex-117 pilot in my squadron currently that said that, without the coating on the glass, the pilot's HGU-55 helmet was a bigger radar reflector than the rest of the aircraft (this is on the F-117).

I was under the impression that on the EA-6 the gold covered canopy was to keep the electronic emissions OUT of the cockpit. Because of the tremendous power of the Prowler's jamming suite they were worried about irradiating the crew.

That was the thinking at the time. But the egg heads were wrong. When
my step-dad was in the Stingers (VAQ-136) the stripes on the wasp insignia were painted gold instead off yellow.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Here is the updated information on the incident.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=20396

The F-22 has gold within the canopy to absorb the radar as I discussed in the other posting, this is consitant with the B-2 bomber as well as the F-117.

The F-16 has the same layer of gold within it, BUT the F-16's canopy is also created using layers, instead of the one-piece approach in the F-22.

The one-piece design is also to reduce the weight of the canopy, previously layered which caused more weight, like in the F-16.

I am not sure the exact, only Uncle Sam would know, about how much actualy gold is used within the process of cranking out a one-piece canopy for the F-22.

being in the jewely business i'm curious as to the actual $$ amount of the gold sans any other canopy components. any clues or ball park amounts out their in wix land??

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I would think the gold inlay would be there to help create a faraday cage, going along with all the other EM shielding that's present in the cockpit. Keep the bad e-noise out and the good signal in. I can't see how adding a reflective metal improves radar absorbtion. Maybe it helps scatter the beam, but you're talking about a very small amount of actual gold.

Next time somebody's in an F-22 cockpit, close the canopy and let me know if your cell phone works

One of the Vegas casino / hotels makes a big deal about using gold to tint the glass. You'd probably have better luck finding out how much gold they used, rather than trying to dig out specs on the F-22 or the F-117.

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

i hope nobody melts a canopy!!! they'll be laughing all the way to the bank!! i guess you can liken it to panning for gold 21st century style!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!