Determining characteristics of a radar cross section (rcs) test range

A method for determining characteristics of a RCS test range, comprising:

• suspending an elongated vertical field probe at a predetermined location within the RCS test range, wherein the elongated vertical field probe is pivotable in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of travel of incident radar waves;
• generating incident radar waves at a selected frequency and polarization;
• pivoting the elongated vertical field probe in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the incident waves;
• sensing a distance of travel of a predetermined point on the elongated vertical field probe from a zero degree vertical pivot angle as the elongated vertical field probe is pivoted through a predetermined range of motion;
• receiving return radar information from the elongated vertical field probe as the elongated vertical field probe is pivoted through the predetermined range of motion;
• and
• determining characteristics of the RCS test range based on the received return radar information.

A system for determining characteristics of a RCS test range, comprising:

• a field probe including an elongated rigid body vertically oriented at a predetermined location within the RCS range;
• a device for pivoting the field probe in a vertical direction broadside to incident radar waves within the RCS range;
• a receiver for receiving return radar data scattered by the field probe as the field probe is pivoted;
• and
• an apparatus for determining a field distribution along the elongated rigid body of the field probe from the return radar data scattered by the field probe.