Radar cross section modeling and measurement of electric detonators

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) pose a significant hazard to allied forces. Effective countermeasures should exploit components that are commonly found in IEDs. This paper presents the computer modeling and measurement of the monostatic radar cross section (RCS) of one of these components, the electric hot-wire detonator. Results indicate that the common mode associated with the detonator´s casing and lead wires provides the largest RCS contribution, ranging between -22 and -16 dBsm in the 3-10 GHz frequency range. Although a differential mode can be excited between the lead wires, its contribution to the monostatic RCS is negligible. The effectiveness of twisting the lead wires to reduce the RCS is also investigated.