Sea surface effects on the radar return from a periscope

A physically motivated model of the radar signal return from a submarine periscope in the sea is proposed. The periscope is modelled in terms of a metal cylinder, and the way in which this reflector combines with the rough sea surface is described. The results are given in terms of simple Swerling-type targets as far as possible, in order that the implications for radar performance can be easily extracted. The aim of the authors is to identify and, as far as possible, to quantify the most important interactions of the sea surface with the signal return from a periscope