scope:

This recommended practice establishes processes for the measurement of the electromagnetic scattering from objects. It is written for the personnel responsible for the operation of test ranges and not for the design of such ranges. It recommends procedures for testing and documenting the quality of the measurement system, for calibrating the measurement system, for carrying out the radar scattering measurements, and for delivering the measurement data in a useful format to the end user.

The document defines radar cross section (RCS), describes different types of test ranges, and reviews methods of characterizing and operating radar scattering measurement ranges. Issues related to test-object support systems, types of test ranges, instrumentation, signal polarization, calibration, data analysis, and range uncertainty are also discussed.

Purpose

Although many RCS measurement ranges are built for specific localized purposes (for example, airplane measurements) and methods of characterizing the ranges and performing the measurements are developed for the specific needs of each particular test range, many other objects are measured nowadays, and the corresponding ranges are probably not dedicated to a specific class of objects. Consequently, this recommended practice is intended to establish guidelines so that operators and users of RCS ranges can provide results that are useful across a larger community of users