ESM range advantage

Except in simple cases, the detection range advantage that an ESM intercept receiver achieves over a specified radar is difficult to quantify, owing to uncertainties of propagation and platform echoing characteristics. In the paper a parallel concept of ESM sensitivity advantage is developed which, together with a statistical description of radar cross-section, provides a simple but reliable estimate of range advantage in any given situation. Excess ESM sensitivity is related to local propagation conditions to compute range advantage. Where mutual detection is possible, a measure of the received power can be used to assess the probability that the radar has detected the ESM platform.