Researchers in Portugal are developing a graphene-based material designed to reduce the radar visibility of drones and military aircraft, potentially contributing to Europe’s capabilities in stealth technologies.
The work is being carried out by GTechPlasma, a spin-off from the Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Institute at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon. The company has developed a plasma-based system for the production of graphene and related materials, enabling control over material properties at the atomic level. According to the team, the current focus is on radar-absorbing coatings capable of attenuating electromagnetic radiation, including radar waves. Such materials are of interest for defense applications, where reducing radar cross-section is a key factor in improving platform survivability.
GTechPlasma states that comparable radar-absorbing materials are limited and subject to strict controls internationally. The company suggests that its graphene-based approach could offer a Europe-based alternative to existing solutions.
The graphene is produced using plasma processing from carbon-based precursors such as methane or ethanol. The process allows tuning of material characteristics depending on the intended application. Beyond radar absorption, the group points to potential uses in electromagnetic shielding, hydrogen storage, and separation processes involving critical materials.
In terms of performance, the researchers estimate that applying the material to an aircraft could significantly reduce its radar signature. One example provided suggests that a fighter jet could exhibit a radar signature comparable to that of a small bird, although such figures remain to be independently validated.
The technology is in the process of scaling up. GTechPlasma reports a current production rate of approximately 40 milligrams per minute of graphene, and is working with industrial partner Plasmaphene to advance manufacturing capabilities under Portugal’s Compete 2030 program.
The material is currently produced in powder form, with ongoing work aimed at developing coatings or paints that can be directly applied to surfaces such as drones. The company has reportedly supplied initial quantities of the material to a Portuguese drone manufacturer for evaluation.
While defense remains the primary near-term application, the underlying production platform may support a broader range of graphene-based materials and use cases.
