[Bryan24]

If they can be detected, they would no longer be called "Stealth" bombers.

It is my understanding that the shape of the object determines is reflectivity. How will this radar system pick up the planes?

[DJ88]

More to the point, where did they get $300 million??? I thought everyone over there was starving to death???

[ChinaThreat]

It is a system that is not truely radar, but a passive system built on microwave detection technology. It looks at the sky and looks for any interruptions in microwave transmissions. Think of it as looking at a canvas, and any blemishes on the canvas would indicate an object. Many experts think the Yugoslavs used this and that is how they were able to shoot the Stealth fighter down in the Kosovo conflict.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The system works by detecting minute disturbances in tv and radio waves as an object passes through the air. This makes it passive, i.e. no electromagnetic emissions and therefore VERY hard to find and destroy.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

F-117's have been detectable by low band radar since day one. A fact that the Air Force doesn't want anyone to know. The British tracked them from the Persian Gulf using ship mounted low band search radar during Desert Storm. The B-2 has the same vulnerability. "Stealth" technology decreases detection range, it does not make an airplane invisible to radar.

The Myth of Stealth

[rmlew]

If they can be detected, they would no longer be called "Stealth" bombers.
Then no plane is actual a stealth.
Stealth jets are those with a low radar signature. No plane is actually invisible. Rather it gives off the signiture of an extremely small object and this signiture may be unclear.

Given an integrated multi-phase radar system with multiple linked detection points and enough processing power, any plane can be detected.
When the B-2 was designed to penetrate teh Soviet Union, the designers and planners knew that the plane could never pass directly over radars. Rather, it could penetrate spaces near them.

[El Gato]

It is my understanding that the shape of the object determines is reflectivity. How will this radar system pick up the planes?

True only to the point where the size of the aircraft is comparable to the wavelength of the radar waves. Then size counts more and shape/material properties somewhat less. However a quick search seems to indicate that the Tamara system is passive and really only listens for emissions from the target aircraft. The F-117 produeces very few emmissions, aside from radio calls which can be kept to a minimum. The B-2 does have radar systems, but with GPS it need not use them until just before bombs away if then.