H I Sutton

About H I Sutton

H I Sutton is a writer, illustrator and analyst who specializes in submarines and sub-surface systems. His work can be found at his website Covert Shores.


Recent Posts By the Author


China Builds Missile Targets Shaped Like U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Destroyers in Remote Desert

China Builds Missile Targets Shaped Like U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Destroyers in Remote Desert

An Oct. 20, 2021 satellite image of a target in the shape of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Taklamakan Desert in Central China. H I Sutton Illustration for USNI News Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies Used with Permission

The Chinese military has built targets in the shape of an American aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships in the Taklamakan desert as part of a new target range complex, according to photos provided to USNI News by satellite imagery company Maxar. Read More

Commercial Radar Satellites Reveal Russian Stealth Fighters

Commercial Radar Satellites Reveal Russian Stealth Fighters

Both the low-observable Sukhoi Su-57 Felon and older Su-34 Fullback. Capella Space Image

Back in 1955, the Soviet Union flew its bombers in a loop over an air show to give the illusion of having more aircraft than were actually in its arsenal, a move that caused alarm in the West. The resulting ‘bomber gap’ was finally disproven when U2 aircraft were able to systematically photograph Russian airbases. This allowed them to literally count the aircraft. Doing this took incredible resources and several years. Read More

Chinese Testing Experimental Armed Drone Ships at Secret Naval Base

Chinese Testing Experimental Armed Drone Ships at Secret Naval Base

Overview of the facility. H I Sutton Photo Illustration Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies used with permission

In front of scenic cliffs and an ornamental European-style windmill is a secret People’s Liberation Army Navy pier. Here, at a former tourist resort on China’s northern coast, is where the PLAN is developing some of its most secretive, and previously unreported, naval programs, USNI News has learned.
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This is What a Chinese Stealth Warship Looks Like on Radar

This is What a Chinese Stealth Warship Looks Like on Radar

Although popularly described as ‘stealthy’, China’s Type-022 missile boat is clearly visible in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery provided by Capella Space Inc. The bow (A) is discernable, as is the mast (B), missile launchers (C) and catamaran hulls at the stern (D). H I Sutton image used with permission

Warships designs are increasingly taking their radar signature into account. Sharp angles that deflect radar waves and coatings that absorb radar energy have been standard features of warship designs for most new warships over the last 20 years. An extreme example is the class of the Chinese Navy’s (PLAN) Type-022 missile boat. Its lines are angled and sloped to deflect incoming radar waves, like a stealth fighter. Everything is carefully angled and even the window frames have saw-tooth edges, according to published photos of the class. Read More

U.K. Royal Marines Want to Acquire Autonomous Hybrid Surface, Subsurface Stealth Vessel

U.K. Royal Marines Want to Acquire Autonomous Hybrid Surface, Subsurface Stealth Vessel

Concept illustration for a shipping container-sized underwater H I Sutton Illustration

Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a pre-procurement notice for a unique type of vessel to help the Royal Marine Commandos. The document outlines an ‘uncrewed surface and subsurface vessel’ (USSV). The vessel must be multi-payload, have a low signature, and long endurance, according to the notice. Read More

Two Iranian Warships Spotted Near English Channel

Two Iranian Warships Spotted Near English Channel

H I Sutton Graphic

Two Iranian warships are nearing the English Channel, according to satellite photographs reviewed by USNI News. The ships are thought to be headed to the Baltic Sea to represent Iran in a July 25 naval parade off the coast of St. Petersburg to commemorate the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy. Read More