A Study on Optimal Emissivity Application for Infrared Signature Reduction in Micro Gas Turbine Small UAV

Dongho Kim; Juni Lee; Heechan Park; Minho Bang; Jinseop Song; Hyunghee Cho

doi:10.6108/KSPE.2026.30.5.032

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2026 Vol.30, Issue 5 Preview Page Next Page

RESEARCH PAPERS

A Study on Optimal Emissivity Application for Infrared Signature Reduction in Micro Gas Turbine Small UAV 적외선 신호 저감을 위한 마이크로 가스터빈 소형 무인기의 최적 방사율 적용 연구

31 October 2026. pp. 32-40

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Abstract

This study numerically analyzes the IR stealth performance of a micro-gas-turbine-based UAV, examining the application area and layout of low-emissivity materials. Four scenarios focusing on high-temperature regions were evaluated to compare radiative characteristics and calculate the average Lethal Range against IR-guided missiles. In the Lethal Efficiency Index (LEI) analysis, Case 2 (selective coating on high-temperature areas) demonstrated 95% and 35% higher efficiency than Case 4 in the MWIR (3~5 ㎛) and LWIR (8~12 ㎛) bands, respectively. This confirms that localized application to high-temperature and vulnerable areas is a more cost-effective low-observable strategy for enhancing UAV survivability than full-surface application.

Keywords

Infrared Signature Reduction

UAV Susceptibility

Emissivity Control

Micro Gas Turbine

본 연구에서는 마이크로 가스터빈 엔진 기반 소형 무인기의 적외선 피격성 저감을 위해 저방사율 물질의 적용 면적 및 부위에 따른 IR 스텔스 성능 변화를 분석하였다. 고온 노출 부위를 중심으로 4가지 시나리오를 설정하여 복사 특성을 비교하고, 적외선 유도 미사일에 대한 피격거리(lethal range)를 산출하였다. 물질 적용 면적 대비 피격거리 감소 효율을 나타내는 LEI(Lethal Efficiency Index) 분석 결과, 고온부에 저방사율 물질을 국소적으로 적용한 Case 2가 전면 적용한 Case 4에 비해 MWIR(3~5 ㎛) 대역에서 95%, LWIR(8~12 ㎛) 대역에서 35% 더 높은 수치를 나타냈다. 고온부 중심의 저방사율 물질 국소 적용이 소형 무인기의 IR 기반 요격 상황에서 더욱 효율적인 저피탐 전략임을 확인하였다.

키워드

적외선 저피탐

무인기 피격성

방사율 조정

마이크로 가스터빈

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국추진공학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Journal Title(Ko) :한국추진공학회지
Volume : 30
No :5
Pages :32-40
Received Date : 2026-06-04
Revised Date : 2026-07-31
Accepted Date : 2026-08-11
DOI :https://doi.org/10.6108/KSPE.2026.30.5.032

Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers ISSN:1226-6027(Print) 2288-4548(Online) 한국추진공학회지

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