Stationary patterns in radar sea clutter

Experimental observations with coastal radars at 3 and 10 cm wavelengths have revealed patterns in the sea returns which are stationary with respect to the radar site. the patterns take the form of a family of curves which exhibit a linear dependence upon wavelength and is characteristic of interference fringes. the mechanism proposed in the paper is forward scatter over the sea surface and subsequent combination with the direct beam. the effect upon radar detection performance is briefly discussed.