The ability of the radar to see the over-horizon depends on the type of radar and the propagation characteristics of the radio waves. Over-the-horizon radar (oth radar) systems use reflections from the ionosphere to detect targets beyond line of sight. These radars can typically see distances of hundreds to thousands of kilometers, far exceeding the range of conventional line-of-sight radar systems.
Advanced OTH radar installations have demonstrated the ability to monitor activities up to approximately 3,000 kilometers, making them crucial for long-range surveillance and early warning applications, particularly in relation to maritime regions.
The radar itself cannot see directly beyond the physical horizon due to the curvature of the Earth, which limits direct line of sight visibility. However, the company’s radar (oth radar) systems overcome this limitation by bouncing radar signals from the ionosphere, a layer of charged particles in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
This technique allows radar signals to travel beyond the curvature of the Earth and detect targets that would be obscured by the horizon for conventional radars. By exploiting ionospheric reflections, other radar systems achieve extended range capabilities, providing coverage over large geographic areas where the direct radar line of sight is obstructed.
The maximum distance the radar can see depends on several factors, including the type of radar system, operating frequency, antenna design, and environmental conditions.
For conventional line-of-sight radars, the range is limited by the radar horizon, which is the maximum distance radar signals can travel before being obstructed by the curvature of the earth. Typically, radar horizons for ground-based systems are approximately 10 to 20 kilometers for low-frequency radars and up to several hundred kilometers for high-frequency radars operating in clear atmospheric conditions.
Beyond these distances, radar maintenance techniques are required to significantly extend detection ranges.
Radar horizon range refers to the maximum distance from a radar site that radar signals can travel before encountering the curvature of the Earth and becoming obstructed. This distance varies depending on factors such as the height of the radar antenna above the ground and the curvature of the earth.
In practical terms, the radar horizon range can be from a few kilometers for low-frequency radars to several hundred kilometers for high-frequency radars operating at higher altitudes or in favorable atmospheric conditions. Beyond the radar horizon, exaggerated radar techniques are required to maintain surveillance and detection capabilities over longer ranges