THE RADAR ABSORPTION EFFECT CAUSED BY VERY THIN PLASMA SHEATHS
Abstract
The radar absorption effect has been observed in full scale reentry vehicle tests and in laboratory and field studies of hypersonic vehicle flow field observables. The usual manifestation of this effect is the drastic reduction of the radar cross section of the vehicle and ists associated flow field under certain conditions. Ballistic range studies of this effect have shown significantly large absorption to occur for even very thin plasma sheaths. This is inexplicable in terms of the theory that explains the full scale vehicle results. A more advanced theory is presented, which has the potential for explaining the anomalous absorption caused by very thin plasma layers covering blunt metallic bodies. In essence, it is shown that the anomalous absorption may be a diffraction effect caused by the gradient of the electron density in the plasma sheath around the body.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0444071
Entities
People
- H. M. Musal Jr.
- W. E. Blore