Radar sensitivity budget analysis for a network of skywave over-the-horizon radars

We introduce a performance prediction methodology to address the challenge of designing a network of skywave over-the-horizon radar (OTHR). The approach can be used to optimise the number of radars, the location of each radar, the sensitivity of each radar, and the total network system cost, based on the chosen mission objectives. We demonstrate the method with a stylised example of a three radar network directed at the eastern region of Australia from radars located in New Zealand, Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. The network is evaluated for performance with respect to commercial aircraft flights operating between several major Australian cities and Sydney.