Originally Posted by
ShyTorque
I remember this technology being discussed in the late 1970s, I think in Flight International magazine.
Yes, there was a Tornado (F2 I think) put on a pole at Farnborough (again I think) with lights on along its leading edges - these lights would match the background brightness and so reduce the contrast of the aircraft shape. I remember seeing a video of the trial on an EW course many years ago. Head on you couldn’t see it from a mile away - pretty impressive, but very expensive to maintain (this is before the day of LED lighting that lasts for many years and is more robust). I guess Adaptiv has taken it to the next level - robust, light and also provides an IR capability.