Abstract
Since the 2nd World War and during the Cold War, the air defense radar has proven to be the main surveillance sensor, where each radar would cover a radius of more than 200 nautical miles. Apart from the electronic warfare, more recently the emergence of stealth or low observable technology, the evolution of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the democratization of UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) or drones, have contested the capabilities of the typical surveillance radar. All these targets are difficult to detect, because they exhibit low RCS (Radar Cross Section), potentially flying at the upper or lower limits of the radar coverage or outside the expected velocity range (being either too slow, e.g. some UAVs, or too fast, like ballistic missiles). This chapter begins with the estimation of the RCS of various potential targets, as a function of the radar frequency band. In this way, the expected detection range against a set of targets can be calculated, for any given radar. Secondly, different radar types are taken into consideration, such as low frequency band radars or passive/multistatic radars, examining the respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, some issues are discussed concerning the “kill chain” against difficult-to-detect targets, in an effort to defend efficiently the air space.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Skolnik MI (2001) Introduction to radar system, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Skolnik MI (2008) Radar handbook, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Stimson GW (1998) Introduction to Airborne Radar (Aerospace & Radar Systems), 2nd edn. SciTech Publishing, North Carolina
Adamy D (ed) (2001) EW 101: A first course in electronic warfare, 1st edn. Artech House Radar Library, Massachusetts
De Martino A (2012) Introduction to modern EW systems (Radar). Artech House, Massachusetts
Du Plessis WP, Odendaal JW, Joubert J (2009) Extended analysis of retrodirective cross-eye jamming. IEEE Trans Ant Prop 57(9):2803–2806
Qu CW, Xiang YC (2010) Active cancellation stealth analysis based on RCS characteristic of target. Radar Sci Technol 8(2):109–112
Knott EF, Shaeffer JF, Tuley MT (2004) Radar cross section, 2d edn. SciTech Publishing, North Carolina
Zikidis K, Skondras A, Tokas C (2014) Low observable principles, stealth aircraft and anti-stealth technologies. J Comp Mod 4(1), 129–165. http://www.scienpress.com/download.asp?ID=1040. Accessed 21 July 2017
Limnaios G (2014) Current usage of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and future challenges: a mission oriented simulator for UAS as a tool for design and performance evaluation. J Comp Mod 4(1):167–188. https://www.scienpress.com/download.asp?ID=1041. Accessed 21 July 2017
Hassanalian M, Abdelkefi AB (2017) Classifications, applications, and design challenges of drones: a review. Prog Aerosp Sci 91:99–131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paerosci.2017.04.003. Accessed 21 July 2017
Touzopoulos P, Boviatsis D, Zikidis KC (2017) Constructing a 3D model of a complex object from 2D images, for the purpose of estimating its radar cross section. J Comp Mod 7(1):15–28. http://www.scienpress.com/download.asp?ID=184991. Accessed 21 Jul 2017
Touzopoulos P, Boviatsis D, Zikidis KC 3D Modelling of potential targets for the purpose of radar cross section (RCS) prediction. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Military Technologies (ICMT2017), Brno, Czech Republic, 31 May–2 June 2017, pp 636–642
Garrido E Jr (2000) Graphical user interface for a physical optics radar cross section prediction code. Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. http://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/32958/00Sep_Garrido.pdf?sequence=1 Accessed 21 Jul 2017
Chatzigeorgiadis F Development of code for a physical optics radar cross section prediction and analysis application. Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California (2004). http://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/1453/04Sep_Chatzigeorgiadis.pdf?sequence=1 Accessed 21 July 2017
Jenn D (2000) MathWork– File Exchange — POFACETS4.1. https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/35861-pofacets4–1. Accessed 21 July 2017
Shah TK, Malecki HC (2010) CNT-based signature control material. U.S. Patent Application Publication, US 2010/0271253 A1, Lockheed Martin Corp., 28 Oct 2010
Katz D (2016) The ‘Magic’ behind radar-absorbing materials for stealthy aircraft. Aviation week & space technology. http://aviationweek.com/aircraft-design/magic-behind-radar-absorbing-materials-stealthy-aircraft. Accessed 21 July 2017
Sweetman B (2013) Commentary: do russian radar developments challenge stealth? Aviation week network. http://aviationweek.com/defense/commentary-do-russian-radar-developments-challenge-stealth. Accessed 21 July 2017
Waves and frequency ranges. http://www.radartutorial.eu/07.waves/Waves20and20Frequency20Ranges.en.html. Accessed 21 July 2017
Katz D (2016) Physics and progress of low-frequency counterstealth technology. Aviation week & space technology. http://aviationweek.com/air-combat-safety/physics-and-progress-low-frequency-counterstealth-technology. Accessed 21 July 2017
Sweetman B (2015) New radars, IRST strengthen stealth-detection claims. Aviation week & space technology. http://www.aviationweek.com/technology/new-radars-irst-strengthen-stealth-detection-claims. Accessed 21 July 2017
Russia today: Russia deploying next-gen Nebo-M radar complexes to counter NATO threat https://www.rt.com/news/233959-russia-deploys-nebo-radars/ (2015) Accessed 21 July 2017
Griffiths H, Baker C (2013) Passive Bistatic Radar. In: Melvin WL, Scheer JA (eds) Principles of Modern Radar, vol 3. Scitech Publishing, North Carolina
Nomikos P, Economou D, Limnaios G, Zikidis K (2016) Presentation and feasibility study of passive radars. Air Force Rev Mag (in Greek) 107:86–103. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2Vf7Ad7I1njVFJiX3pTTlY1aU0/view. Accessed 21 July 2017
Baniak J, Baker G, Cunningham AM, Martin L (1999) Silent sentry passive surveillance. Lockheed Martin. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.475.8561&rep=rep1&type=pdf. Accessed 21 Jul 2017
Grossman WM (2003) Connect the pings, stealth radar from cell-phone radiation. Sci Am 26–28
Lok JJ (2007) Thales passive radar processes signals from radio towers. Aviation week. http://aviationweek.com/awin/thales-passive-radar-processes-signals-radio-towers. Accessed 21 July 2017
Zikidis K Low observable threats, RCS estimation and anti-stealth technologies. Paper presented at the 5th Air Power Conference, Hellenic Air Force, Dekelia Air Base, Greece, 16–17 Feb 2017. https://youtu.be/dFxb4U5b6no. Accessed 21 July 2017
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zikidis, K.C. (2018). Early Warning Against Stealth Aircraft, Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. In: Karampelas, P., Bourlai, T. (eds) Surveillance in Action. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68533-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68533-5_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-68532-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-68533-5
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)