THE US AIR FORCE IS USING COMPUTER MODELS to gain a better understanding of how weather and terrain affect radar transmissions. The image was produced by, the variable-terrain radio parabolic equation (VTRPE) model, and shows a weather "inversion" deflecting radar signals. The image is a "mathematical" cross-section of radar energy in the atmosphere near a radar station. The distance from the station is scaled in kilometres and altitude above sea level in metres. The white area (bottom left) represents a radar site on Guadalupe Island, off California, USA. From it rises a purple/green/blue radar wave, which, instead of "hugging" the water, flows up, trapped in a temperature-inversion layer depicted in pink, yellow and gold. This creates a radar "hole" which could easily hide an approaching aircraft. Developed by the US Navy, the VTRPE model is being refined by the 88th Weather Flight at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, to aid USAF mission planners who brief pilots on how to avoid radar detection as they approach enemy targets.
Source: Flight International
