Computing Optimum Heights for Balloon-Borne Radar

Abstract

The Air Defense Initiative is considering the use of balloon-borne radar transmitters. Tethering the balloon at an optimum height based on atmospheric refractive effects maximizes the chances for effective target detection. This report provides information for determining optimum transmitter heights for balloon-borne radars by considering the effects of atmospheric refraction. The data is provided on a floppy disk as tables of radar detection data stratified by transmitter and target heights. The tables are accessible through a user-friendly interactive PC program that displays the data. Instructions for access to and interpretation of the tables are included. The report summarizes the assumptions, data, and methods used to create the tables.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA286832

Entities

People

  • Michael F. Squires

Organizations

  • Air Force Technical Applications Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Atmospheric Refraction
  • Detection
  • Elevation
  • Military Research
  • Radar
  • Radar Beams
  • Radar Transmitters
  • Refraction
  • Stations
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Target Detection
  • Transmitters
  • User Friendly

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Computer Science.
  • Fault Tolerant Diagnosis of Black and White Balloon Isolation Tests Using ¥.