Method and system for suppressing ground clutter returns on an airborne weather radar

A method of suppressing ground clutter on a weather radar display comprising the steps of:

• scanning a first area using an antenna disposed at a first tilt angle;
• receiving first radar returns as a result of said step of scanning a first area, said first returns having therein a first ground clutter component and a first weather component;
• providing a computer antenna controller coupled to said antenna and automatically adjusting an orientation of said antenna to a second tilt angle;
• scanning a second area using said antenna disposed at said second tilt angle;
• receiving second radar returns as a result of said step of scanning a second area, said second returns having therein a second ground clutter component and a second weather component;
• making a first comparison which is a comparison of a first return power statistic of said first radar returns and a second return power statistic of said second radar returns to determine differences resulting from an angular difference between said first tilt angle and said second tilt angle;
• and generating a received return angular statistical power profile;
• making a second comparison which is a comparison of said received return angular statistical power profile with a predetermined return angular power profile for ground returns over a predetermined tilt angle range;
• and
• making a determination in response to said second comparison as to a portion of a radar return which represents a ground clutter component and which can be deleted from a display to a pilot.