Simulation and Measurement Methods for RCS Estimations of a Scale Model Airplane

Abstract

In a military context, the radar cross section (RCS) of an airplane is a very important subject. For an RCS estimation object, a scaled-down model is often employed for ease of measurements. Recently, electromagnetic simulations of the RCS has become very convenient because of developments in high-speed calculation methods such as MLFMM and HOBF in electromagnetic simulators employing the MoM algorithm. As for the measurements, high-resolution measurements via the time domain analysis are promising. In this paper, important estimation expressions for use with a scale model are briefly explained. In terms of calculations, comparisons are drawn between the actual calculation abilities of MoM, MLFMM, and HOBF at 18 GHz for a 1/48-scale model. In terms of measurement, a high-resolution measurement system employing a compact range and time domain analysis that is used in this study is explained. Next, the calculated and measured results are compared in order to show the accuracy of the obtained results. The results in vertical and horizontal planes of a scale model are shown at vertical and horizontal polarizations. Moreover, using the calculation method to determine estimates at higher frequencies is also investigated in order to obtain the practical RCS value of a real-sized airplane