Inexpensive multipurpose airborne surveillance radar

Airborne radar has now been in operation for over 40 years, and nose-mounted microwave equipment is fitted to the majority of civil passenger jets for the early detection and subsequent avoidance of severe storm centres. The ground-mapping and sea-search equipment described here provides a high-quality operator PPI display without the expense of either a special cosec2 aerial or a stabilised aerial platform. A novel feature is the provision of a permanent flight record on a low-cost audio tape recorder for subsequent playback on the ground or in the air. This may be used for debriefing or archival use without the inconvenience of airborne photography or the expense of carrying an airborne quality video tape recorder. Extensive results of maritime, sea pattern and terrain targets are reported.