RADAR ECHO FROM RE-ENTRY VEHICLES
Abstract
The problem of computing the radar echo from re entry vehicles is treated, primarily to indicate what types of radar-return estimates can be made using presently available results from the gas dynamic theory of wakes and from electromagnetic theory. Numerical results for low-frequency reflectivities and radar cross sections are obtained for a particular computed re-entry wake viewed broadside. The resulting radar cross sections, although orders of magnitude greater than the radar cross section of the vehicle with no wake, are smaller than the broadside geometric cross section of the wake region within which the local plasma frequency is greater than the radar frequency. Some specific electromagnetic problems are outlined, the solution of which would aid in obtaining results better than the crude estimates presently achievable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0406204
Entities
People
- Herschel Weil
Organizations
- RAND Corporation