Fabric visual/infrared/radar decoys

Abstract

An aircraft decoy is made by assembling metal or plastic pipe or tubing into tubing fittings to form the shape of an actual aircraft. The tubing is marked with location identification markings. The decoy thus constructed is easily disassembled, stored, transported, or reassembled. The aircraft decoy is covered with an open weave fabric to minimize air resistance so that high winds will not move the decoy on the ground. The fabric is coated with paint to mimic not only the optical characteristics or signature of the actual aircraft, but also the infrared and radar signature of the actual aircraft. Metal particles can be added to paint to increase the infrared and radar signatures.

We claim: 
     
       1. An aircraft decoy, comprising: (a) a frame simulating in size and shape a full size airplane;   (b) means for covering the frame to produce specific desired optical, infrared and radar characteristics.   
     
     
       2. An aircraft decoy according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises tubing connected by tubing fittings and assembled into a frame substantially defining the shape of an actual aircraft. 
     
     
       3. An aircraft decoy according to claim 1, wherein the covering means further comprise: (a) a fabric; and,   (c) a coating on the fabric.   
     
     
       4. An aircraft decoy according to claim 3, wherein the fabric is a woven material with a sufficiently open weave chosen to present as little air resistance as possible while preserving sufficient optical opacity. 
     
     
       5. An aircraft decoy according to claim 3, wherein the coating is a photo resistive dye. 
     
     
       6. An aircraft decoy according to claim 3, wherein the fabric is knitted nylon. 
     
     
       7. An aircraft decoy according to claim 3, wherein the fabric is metallized. 
     
     
       8. An aircraft decoy according to claim 3, wherein the coating is a paint or dye into which has been mixed metal particles. 
     
     
       9. An aircraft decoy frame comprising tubing inserted into tubing fittings to form an assembly substantially defining the shape of an actual aircraft. 
     
     
       10. An aircraft decoy frame according to claim 9, wherein sections of tubing include location identification markings. 
     
     
       11. A method of constructing an aircraft decoy, comprising the steps of assembling tubing with tubing fittings to form a frame substantially defining the shape of an actual aircraft. 
     
     
       12. A method of constructing an aircraft decoy according to claim 11, further comprising the step of marking tubing sections with location identification markings.