Polarimetric Radar Imaging of the Ocean Surface

Introduction: Understanding the relationship between ocean surface waves and the radar backscatter they generate is key to the development of new radar-based techniques to measure ocean parameters, such as wave height and current speed and direction, of importance to both the Navy and the civilian sector. This knowledge is also needed to improve the Navy’s ability to distinguish between signals generated by important, man-made targets and the competing radar backscatter produced by the ocean surface itself. The NRL Remote Sensing Division and Radar Division have collaboratively developed a unique radar, the NRL Focused Phased Array Imaging Radar (NRL FOPAIR), to investigate this relationship. The ability of this system to rapidly image the surface and determine the backscattered signal’s sensitivity to polarization provides a powerful means to explore this important area of research.