Numerical calculations of radar scattering from sharply peaked ocean waves

A numerical solution of the surface-current integral equation is used to calculate the radar backscatter for several wavelike surfaces. The surfaces used in this study represent solutions of the water wave equations for finite amplitude, irrotational gravity waves, with steepnesses selected so as to produce minimum radii of curvature ranging from zero to a value equal to the electromagnetic wavelength and with wave amplitudes ranging from about one-half to five times the electromagnetic wavelength. The results are used to evaluate the importance of edge diffraction effects on backscatter from sharply peaked ocean waves.