Enhancement of the radar echoing area of gliders at S- and X-bands

Abstract

A review is given of a number of experiments which were conducted to improve the unreliable echoes given by gliders on air traffic control radars.Typical values are given for the echoing areas of various gliders at X-and S-bands for different aspects as measured in flight.Investigations into various possible methods of increasing these echoing areas are then described, and the results of flight trials carried out on gliders treated by two different techniques are shown.One of these techniques, namely, fitting a light-weight cluster of corner reflectors into the fuselage, produced an adequate increase in echoing area, and it is concluded that though each type of glider would require its own particular design of corner cluster, the method should be generally feasible.