Passive radar, while offering certain advantages such as covert operation and reduced emissions, also comes with several disadvantages. A major disadvantage is its reliance on existing radio signals, such as broadcast or communications signals, for detection purposes. This dependence limits its operational flexibility and coverage, as it can only detect targets within the range of available signal sources.
Additionally, passive radar systems may face challenges in accurately determining target range and azimuth due to variations in signal propagation and multi-path effects, which can affect measurement accuracy by compared to active radar systems.
Limitations of passive radar include susceptibility to signal interference and environmental factors that can degrade detection performance.
Since passive radar relies on signals transmitted from third-party sources, any disruption or variation in these signals, caused by factors such as terrain, weather conditions or changes in broadcast patterns, can impact the reliability of detection.
Additionally, passive radar systems often require sophisticated signal processing algorithms to extract and correlate weak signals from multiple sources, which can introduce complexities in real-time target tracking and identification.
Primary radar, although widely used for its ability to independently transmit and receive radar signals, has its drawbacks. A significant disadvantage is its vulnerability to detection by adversaries due to active transmission of radar pulses.
This emission of electromagnetic energy makes primary radar systems susceptible to detection and jamming by hostile forces, compromising their operational security and effectiveness in certain military applications. Additionally, primary radar can consume higher power levels compared to passive radar systems, potentially limiting its deployment in energy-constrained environments or applications requiring extended operational endurance