Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of the Radar Cross Section of a Drone

The mono-static Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a commercial Drone (IRIS) has been simulated and measured. For simulations, the electromagnetic CAD Microwave Studio by CST has been used. This software allows to accurately model the drone geometry and material complex permittivity. Measurements have been performed in an anechoic chamber equipped with a network analyzer and a horn antenna. The foreseen applications are the localization of drones in critical scenarios by using both passive and conventional radars. Our measurements and simulations, with good agreement, show RCS values that are strongly variable with frequency.