Radar scattering from intermittently contacting metal targets

Radar returns from moving multielement metal targets often exhibit an unexpected modulation that has both random (or noise-like) and semicoherent components. One possible mechanism for producing this effect is the modification of the current distribution on the target that results when electrical contacts between target elements are altered intermittently by the forces associated with target motion. We propose that this mechanism can be modeled in terms of an impedance-loaded scatterer, and we present preliminary experimental results obtained using resonant dipole scatterers.