Beyond-the-horizon target detection by bistatic radar

The results are given of experiments on the characteristics of flying targets' detection by bistatic radar along a marine path 500 km long in the 10 cm, 35 cm and 180 cm frequency bands. The measurement results proved the possibility of target detection in the zone of shadow-beyond-the-horizon. A method is suggested of aircraft flight testing with an onboard retransmitter in order to speed-up the estimation of the expected detection probability. This is investigated by a physical statistical model of the beyond-the-horizon radio line, and numerical estimates of the detection characteristics in the zone of shadow are included.