Research on the Spatial Distribution Mechanism of the EM Reflection Intensity of a Plasma-Sheath-Covered Target

A plasma sheath forms on the surface of a hypersonic vehicle due to aerodynamic thermal ionization. Due to the distribution characteristics of plasma-sheath parameters, the reflection intensity at different positions of the plasma sheath is different, affecting the vehicle’s electromagnetic (EM) scattering characteristics. Based on the numerical calculation results of the plasma flow field at typical altitudes and velocities, this article solves the reflection intensity of a typical reference area. It obtains the spatial distribution characteristics of the EM reflection intensity from the stagnation-point to tail-end areas of the plasma-sheath-covered target. By analyzing the influence of different flight altitudes and different carrier frequencies on the reflection intensity of each area, the variation law of the spatial distribution of the EM reflection intensity of the plasma-sheath-covered target is revealed. The research results provide a theoretical basis for radar detection, the measurement of EM scattering characteristics, and the active EM-control stealth of plasma-sheath-covered targets.