Environmental Attenuation of Airborne Radar
Abstract
The most stressing weather scenario for a long-range airborne radar is looking to the limb of the earth, and beyond, in an extensive precipitating stratiform system. This is due to both the long horizontal path lengths which must transverse the longest dimensions of stratiform clouds and the shortest dimensions of the less frequently occurring thunderstorms. Realistic vertical profiles of cloud density, effective rainfall rate, and temperature were developed for a typical extensive system. Cloud and rainfall attenuations were then calculated for each 1000 foot layer of the system for each of the two seasons (fall-spring and winter) over the microwave radar frequencies (L-Band through X-Band). Total two-way path attenuations were then determined for each of three ranges to 200 feet from a 65,000 foot platform; 300 nm, 250 nm, and 200 nm. The total two-way results are given. Also examined are frequently used values of cloud density and discrepancies between theoretical and empirical values for rainfall attenuation coefficients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA119883
Entities
People
- Bruce J. Spaulding
- George N. Baum
- Ira F. Kuhn Jr.