Radar cross section measurements (8-12 GHz) of flat plates painted with microwave absorbing materials

The aim of the present work is to present radar cross section measurements of flat plates painted with radar absorbing material (RAM) in the range of 8-12 GHz. The measurements were carried out in an anechoic chamber at Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA)-Ministerio da Defesa facilities, and the RAM coating was manufactured at Divisao de Materiais of Instituto de Aeronautica e Espaco (IAE)/CTA. The obtained attenuation results from the RAM painted plates characterization were transformed in radar cross section diagram, in square meters, using theoretical values of reflectors with controlled dimensions. The obtained results demonstrate the RAM coating causes a radar cross section reduction of 94% of the radiation, when impinged at normal incidence, at 8 GHz.