Hitler s Secret Stealth Jet: The Ho 229
In 2008, Northrop Grumman teamed up with the National Geographic channel to reconstruct a mockup of the Ho 229, which they tested for radar reflection, and then pitted against a simulation of the British Chain Home radar network. Their findings were less than overwhelming the flying wings would have been detected at a distance 80 percent that of a standard German Bf. 109 fighter.
Here s what you need to know: While it may be a stretch to claim that the Ho 229 was intended to be a stealth aircraft, there’s little doubt that it pioneered design features that continue to see use in low-observable aircraft today.