A combined microwave/millimeter wave RCS compact range based measurement facility

A useful and cost effective technique for performing RCS evaluation of targets is making use of scale model testing. As scale factors increase in magnitude, the required test facility size, and thus cost, decrease. Orbit/FR has designed and instrumented a test facility that is capable of performing high scale factor model testing as well as component and material segment testing. These capabilities have been realised by providing an instrumentation radar system capable of operation at W band for scale model testing and the standard 2-18 GHz microwave band for component and material segment testing. The radar is integrated with a compact range system, with optimum location of RF hardware relative to the compact range feed assembly, as well as providing the capability to quickly interchange the compact range feed assemblies and associated interface cabling. The instrumentation and associated performance is described.