Improving on the monostatic radar cross section of targets by employing sea clutter to emulate a bistatic radar

Aircraft that employs radar cross-section reduction techniques typically have a significantly larger bistatic radar cross-section. This paper discusses the possibility of utilising an airborne monostatic radar configuration over an oceanic region to emulate a bistatic radar. This is achieved by employing the reflective nature of the ever-present sea clutter to effectively create a "pseudo-transmitter" on the sea\´s surface. In addition to improving the radar cross-section of targets, this emulated bistatic radar system reduces the target\´s capability to locate the airborne receiver. The reflection and scattering characteristics of the sea\´s surface are also discussed and rudimentary models reflecting these characteristics with regard to the forward scatter region are developed.