KuROS: A new airborne Ku-band Doppler radar for observation of the ocean surface

We present the new airborne Ku-band Doppler radar KuROS, designed for wind/wave observations of the ocean surface. First results obtained from observations collected during two field campaigns held in 2013 are also illustrated. Both intensity and Doppler information have been used to estimate the direction wave spectra of ocean waves. Results on radar cross-section and directional spectra of ocean wave are assessed trough comparison with independent information. We also present a preliminary analysis of the speckle energy density spectrum as a function of sea state conditions.