Chinese lidar simulation detects F-35 from 38 miles at night

A Chinese missile research team modeled a single-photon lidar seeker that detected an F-35C stealth fighter from 38.2 miles at night and 17.2 miles in daylight. The system uses 1,064-nanometer laser pulses at 1 millijoule with a 100-millimeter lens.

• Night detection range reached 38.2 miles; daylight range was 17.2 miles
• Required signal-to-noise ratio was 8.8 dB with at least 9.4 detected photons
• At 17.2 miles, depth accuracy was about 8 inches and transverse resolution 20 inches
• The narrow laser beam complicates target search compared with radar