An estimation and verification of vessel radar cross sections for high-frequency surface-wave radar

The radar cross sections of both small and large ships for high-frequency surface-wave radar (HFSWR) were studied by using the numerical electromagnetics code, and by using measurements from an HFSWR system at Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada. The results of the study indicated that Teleost, a 2405-ton Canadian Coast Guard ship, and large cargo container vessels (-36000 ton) have comparable RCS values at 3.1 and 4.1 MHz. This was verified by comparing Teleost signals with the reflections of seven cargo-container vessels, identified during an operational evaluation of the HFSWR. The conclusion of the study was that Teleost and the large cargo container vessels had an angle-averaged radar cross section (RCS) of -40 dBm², while small vessels (-1000 tons) could reasonably be characterized by an angle-averaged RCS of -30 dBm², in the lower end of the HF band (3-5 MHz).