HF surface wave radar management techniques applied to surface craft detection

HF radar is a unique land or ship based sensor which provides over the horizon (OTH) target detection. In the absence of microwave ducting, which is not a reliable environmental feature, HF radar operating in the 3-30 MHz band offers the primary method of obtaining target returns from beyond the conventional radar horizon. Two alternative approaches are employed utilising different primary propagation modes depending on the desired radar range. HF surface wave radar (HFSWR) uses vertically polarized antennas launching radiation over a saline water surface. HF sky wave radar provides another form of OTH capability. By exploiting ionospheric reflection (strictly speaking refraction), target returns from ranges of the order of 1000-3000 km are achievable. This paper describes: the issues facing the design and operation of an HFSWR detecting ship targets; typical HFSWR system design and architecture; HFSWR clutter characteristics; clutter mitigation techniques appropriate to HFSWR