RCS of fundamental scatterers in the HF band by wire-grid modelling

To extract the maximum information from the return of a radar target such as an aircraft, the target's scattering properties must be well known. Wire grid modeling allows a detailed representation of the surface of a complex scatterer such as an aircraft, in the frequency range where the aircraft size is comparable to a wavelength. A moment method analysis determines the currents on the wires of the grid including the interactions between all parts of the structure. Wire grid models of fundamental scatterers (plates, strips, cubes, and spheres) of sizes comparable to the wavelength in the 2-30 MHz range are analyzed. The study of the radar cross section (RCS) of wire grids in comparison with measured RCS data helps to establish guidelines for building wire grid models, specifying such parameters as where to locate wires, how short the segments must be, and what radius to use. The guidelines so developed can then be applied to build wire grid models of much more complex bodies such as aircraft with much greater confidence.