Evaluation of an experimental high power, short-pulse radar

This paper reports on UK experience in the trials and evaluation of an experimental I/J-Band (10 GHz) radar, using a microwave relativistic backward-wave oscillator as transmitter, generating very high peak power (500 MW) in pulses of 7 ns duration. A Russian radar experiment, using a similar generator as the transmitter, was conducted at the Kulyman test range overlooking the Ob river in Western Siberia in 1985. Under a collaborative arrangement between the UK MoD and GEC-Marconi, the main participants in the original radar programme were contracted in early 1993 to design and build a second system, incorporating improvements to the original design, for delivery to the UK as an experimental test bed.