Block 1 — Radar Fundamentals

Block 1 — Radar Fundamentals#

Block 01All 10 lessons available8 demos

How radar finds, ranges, and tracks an aircraft — the threat physics that the rest of the course works to defeat. We build from the kill chain and the ES/EP/EA framework, through propagation and the radar range equation, to pulsed waveforms, range/Doppler ambiguity, and moving-target processing; then antenna patterns and beamforming, the radar taxonomy of a layered IADS, and the detection theory that pulls the B-21 out of the noise.

What you’ll learn#

  1. Place a survivability technique on the kill chain (Detect → Track → Identify → Engage → Kill) and classify it as ES, EP, or EA.

  2. Predict signal loss with free-space path loss and the 6 dB rules for range and frequency.

  3. Apply the radar range equation and explain why detection range scales as the fourth root of every term.

  4. Relate pulse width, PRF, and PRI to range resolution and to range/Doppler ambiguity.

  5. Compute the Doppler shift, explain MTI clutter rejection and blind speeds, and read a range-Doppler map.

  6. Read an antenna pattern (HPBW, SLL) and explain how an ESA/AESA steers a beam — and why side lobes are the EW back door.

  7. Identify the radar classes in a layered IADS by band, PRF, and beam, and map each to its kill-chain link.

  8. Relate SNR, \(P_d\), and \(P_{fa}\) through a ROC curve, and quantify integration gain.

In this block#

Lesson 1

Kill Chain & the EW Framework

The kill chain, the ES/EP/EA taxonomy, and the fourth-power detection law. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 2

Spectrum & Propagation

Radar bands, free-space path loss, and the 6 dB rules. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 3

The Radar Range Equation

Received power, $R_\text{max}$, and the fourth-root scaling of every term. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 4

Pulse Radars & Ambiguity

Pulse train, PRF/PRI, range resolution, and the range–Doppler ambiguity invariant. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 5

Doppler & MTI

Doppler shift, MTI clutter rejection, blind speeds, and the range-Doppler map. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 6

Antenna Patterns & Beamforming

Pattern anatomy, HPBW and SLL, beam steering, and ESA/AESA. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 7

IADS Radar Taxonomy

The layered radar classes, their bands and PRF regimes, and the kill-chain mapping. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 8

Detection Theory

Noise floor, SNR, the ROC curve, integration gain, and $S_\text{min}$ as a contract. Reading · Flashcards · Demo · Pre-flight.

 Lesson 9

Project 1 Work Day

In-class group work: detection range vs aspect and band, with the starter skeleton and RCS table.

 Lesson 10

Project 1 Presentations

Results briefings, HW1 due at the start of class, and Quiz 1 in class.

 Project

Project 1 · B-21 Threat Detection Range

Group analysis of threat-radar detection range against the B-21. Handout, RCS table, and starter posted.

 Homework

Homework 1 · Radar Fundamentals

Individual walkthrough of one complete detection-range calculation. Ten numeric questions, due at L10.
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