Comparison of SCR microwave measurement of directional wave spectra with ARSLOE in-situ sensor

A 36 GHz computer-controlled airborne radar is described which generates a false-color coded elevation map of the sea surface below the aircraft in real-time and can routinely produce ocean directional wave spectra with off-line data processing. Data products are shown and the procedures for correcting the encounter spectra for platform effects are indicated. The non-directional frequency spectrum and Fourier coefficients computed from the radar spectrum were in good agreement with those computed from the NOAA XERB buoy.