Fundamentals of the Physical Theory of Diffraction, 2nd Edition

Foreword to the First Edition

Ideas have consequences. Great ideas have far-reaching consequences.

The physical theory of diffraction (PTD) that Professor Ufimtsev introduced in the 1950s—a methodology for approximate evaluation at a high enough frequency of the scattering from a body, especially a body of complicated shape—has proven to be a truly great idea.

The first form of PTD developed by Professor Ufimtsev, the vector form applicable to electromagnetic scattering from three-dimensional bodies, has played a key role in the development of modern low-radar-reflectivity weapons systems, such as the Lockheed F-117 stealth fighter and the Northrop B-2 stealth bomber, functioning both as a design tool and as a conceptual framework. These systems in turn have revolutionized the conduct of large-scale government-versus-government warfare and thus have helped to shape history.

Ben Rich, who oversaw the F-117 project as head of Lockheed’s fabled Skunk Works, refers to Professor Ufimtsev’s work as “the Rosetta Stone breakthrough for stealth technology.” At Northrop, where I worked on the B-2 project, we were so enthusiastic about PTD that a co-worker and I sometimes broke into choruses of “Go, Ufimtsev” to the tune of “On, Wisconsin.” At both Lockheed and Northrop we referred to PTD as “industrial-strength” diffraction theory, to distinguish it from the approach to diffraction then being favored in the universities, which was not well enough developed to handle the problems of ...