A terrain following system is a sophisticated avionics system designed to allow aircraft to maintain a low altitude while following the contours of the terrain below. This system is crucial for low-flying military aircraft to avoid detection by enemy radar systems and evade ground defenses. Terrain following systems use radar, lidar, or other sensors to continuously monitor the terrain ahead and adjust the aircraft’s altitude and flight path accordingly. By automatically adjusting altitude based on terrain contours, these systems improve flight safety and mission effectiveness in low-altitude operations.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a terrain-following radar capability as part of its avionics suite. This capability allows the F-16 to fly at low altitude while maintaining a safe distance from the ground. The terrain-following radar on the F-16 continuously scans the terrain ahead and provides real-time altitude and flight path adjustments to the aircraft’s autopilot system. This feature is particularly important for missions requiring penetration of hostile airspace or rugged terrain where maintaining a low altitude is necessary for mission success and survival.
Flying “under the radar” refers to the concept of flying at altitudes and speeds that make an aircraft difficult to detect by radar systems. The exact altitude considered “low enough” to fly under radar detection varies depending on the capabilities of the radar systems and terrain. Typically, military aircraft flying low-altitude missions, such as terrain following or nap flying, aim to stay below the radar coverage of ground-based air defense systems. This altitude can range from a few hundred feet above ground level to several thousand feet, depending on the specific mission objectives, terrain characteristics, and threat environment. The objective is to minimize radar cross-section of the aircraft and increase the probability of successful evasion of detection and tracking by enemy radar systems.