Chapter 8: Measurement of Radar Cross Section

8.1 Introduction

To establish the stealthiness of a platform, it could simply be built and then tested against the threat radar. The obvious danger in this approach is that deficiencies occurring in the early stages of the design would not be uncovered until completion and, thus, could not be corrected. Another complication is that the effective measured RCS will depend on the radar parameters and test environment. For these reasons, the precise quantity of RCS as defined in Chapter 1 (i.e., ?) is measured in a controlled environment. In general, measured RCS data can serve three purposes:

1. To establish a target s RCS for design verification.

2. For comparison with calculated RCS, to evaluate numerical methods, approximations, and so forth.

3. As a diagnostic or troubleshooting tool.

Measurements play an important part in the design of a stealthy platform. During the conceptual stage, scale models of candidate designs might be built and tested to verify that the RCS levels are in the ballpark and that no unexpected scattering arises. At various stages in the development of the full-scale components (such as wings and antennas), measurements can be used to verify assembly tolerances, RCS treatments, and other manufacturing processes. Problem areas can be reworked and then remeasured. Finally, if the target is not too large, a measurement can be made on the completed product. This step may serve as the official fulfillment of a contract.

Measurement facilities can be categorized by a wide variety of attributes, which include physical characteristics,...