An Estimation and Verificat Cross-Sections for HF Su

The radar cross sections (RCS) of both small and large ships for High Frequency Surface Wave Radar (HFSWR) were studied by using Numerical Electromagnetics Code [4] and by using measurements from a HFSWR system at Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada. The results of the study indicate that Teleost, a 2405-ton Canadian Coast Guard ship, and large cargocontainer vessels (~36000 ton) have comparable RCS values at 3.1 and 4.1 MHz. This was verified by comparing Teleost signals with the reflections of seven cargo-container vessels identified during an operational evaluation of the HFSWR. The conclusion of the study is that Teleost and the large cargo-container vessels have an angle-averaged RCS of ~40dBm, while small vessels (~1000 tons) could reasonably be characterized by an angle-averaged RCS of ~30 dBm, in the lower end of the HF band (3-5 MHz).