ISAR processing results from forward scatter radar measurements of ships

Forward scattering radar system concepts have been the object of extensive research both for military and civilian applications since the 1930s. Forward scattering systems are in principle easy to construct. This paper shows a realization of a forward and back scattering radar system carried out by Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt for the purpose of generating both ISAR signatures of ships simultaneously. Forward scattering can give significant enhancement due to Babinet's principle. The processed results show that both forward and backscattering configuration were able to see a small open fiber glass test boat passing through the radar beams. Forward and back scattering ISAR give different ship signatures, and can, when combined, give increased ability for ship classification, recognition and identification.