Possibilities to Observe Small-Size UAVs in the Prospective Airfield Radar

In this paper the actual problem of monitoring the movement of small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying within the airport territory, including near buildings and structures is considered. The possibilities of solving this problem using multifunctional airfield radar – Surface Movement Radar (SMR), are estimated. In accordance with ICAO requirements, this radar is designed to detect and control the movement of aircraft and vehicles on the territory of an airport in all weather conditions. Therefore, in addition to its main tasks, this radar should effectively detect and control the movement of small-size UAVs, especially in the airport’s closed flight zones. The problems of technology for creating and selecting parameters for such radars are discussed. For a justified choice of the radar parameters, the results of the estimation of the effective scattering surface (Radar Cross-Section) values of the observed UAV are presented. The results of field tests of the experimental sample of the airfield radar for the detection of small UAVs under intense reflections from the underlying ground surface are presented.