Measurement of the Radar Cross Section of a Man

Both the monostatic and the bistatic radar cross sections of a man were measured at the five frequencies 410, 1120, 2890, 4800, and 9375 mc. The measurements were made using both horizontal and vertical polarizations, and for various directions of facing, or aspects, of the man being used as a target. The cw Doppler method was used in making the measurements. The man whose cross section was measured weighed about 200 pounds and he was six feet tall. It was found that the man's cross section varied as follows, depending primarily upon polarization of the incident wave and aspect of the man: 410 mc 0.033 to 2.33 square meters 1120 mc 0.098 to 0.997 square meters 2890 mc 0.140 to 1.05 square meters 4800 mc 0.368 to 1.88 square meters 9375 mc 0.495 to 1.22 square meters. A few measurements were made with men of different sizes, and these indicate that the cross section is approximately proportional to the weight of the man.