HF Radar Cross Section of a Target With Linear Velocity on the Ocean Surface

An analysis addressing the scattering of electromagnetic radiation from linearly moving targets embedded in time-varying random rough surfaces is presented in the context of high-frequency surface wave radar. Bistatic radar cross section models are derived for a pulsed transmitting waveform including the effects of secondary scatter from the time-varying ocean. The derived expressions are used to model the RCS of an ocean patch containing a simplified model of a Visby-class corvette moving with a constant velocity. The computed results show, that under certain conditions, a target whose first-order RCS is masked by ocean clutter may be detected through a secondary scatter from the ocean surface. This suggests the models may be considered in the development of advanced signal processing techniques for the purposes of detecting and classifying radar targets in varying sea states.