INTRODUCTION	3-3
SURFACE-SEARCH RADAR	3-3
Long-range search for large targets	3-3
Short-range search for small targets	3-4
Station keeping	3-5
Navigation	3-5
Auxiliary fire control	3-7
Composition	3-7
AIR-SEARCH RADAR	3-7
Long-range, early warning air search	3-8
Short-range search and multiple-target tracking	3-8
Fighter director tracking	3-9
Overland tracking and overland search	3-9
Fire-control liaison	3-9
Composition	3-10
PIPOLOGY
INTRODUCTION	3-10
COMPOSITION	3-10
Friend or foe	3-10
Estimating the size of ship targets	3-11
Estimating the number of ships	3-12
Bearing and range resolution
Effect of range on bearing resolution
Effect of sweep length on range resolution
Effect of receiver gain on range resolution
One-pip areas
Estimating the number of planes	3-17
General hints on composition	3-18
FALSE CONTACTS	3-18
Sea-return	3-18
Minor Lobes	3-19
Clouds	3-19
Radar pulses	3-20
Double-range echoes	3-21
Second-sweep echoes	3-21
Reflection echoes	3-21
Wakes	3-21
Miscellaneous objects on the surface	3-21
PPI INTERPRETATION	3-21
Radar shadows	3-21

Various radars differ in physical appearance. Each has its special knobs, types of presentation, and "gadgets," depending on the primary function of the individual set. Regardless of this physical variance, there is much that can be said, in a general sense, about good operational techniques for all radar sets. It is not intended, however, that the information in this section be followed to the letter under all conditions and in all tactical situations.

In order to gain the maximum tactical advantage from radar at all times, the radar operational techniques must change as the situation changes. Methods of operation must be flexible. Commonsense, and a thorough knowledge of naval tactics must determine which of these techniques should be used in any given situation.

A brief outline of the various basic controls and indicators will form a foundation for a more detailed discussion of operational techniques.

1. Range scale. What scale should be used tinder what conditions? How often should scales be shifted? 2. Gain Control. This corresponds to the volume control of a broadcast receiver. Should it be set high, low, or medium? 3. Antenna rotation. Should the antenna be rotated continuously? How fast should it turn? Should it always search an area of 360 degrees? If stopped, for how long? 4. Range. How should ranges be read? Should the range step and associated dials be used when provided? Should estimated ranges be used with the assistance of improvised scales? 5. Bearings. What are the different ways bearings can be read? Should the bug be used, or should a cursor be used instead? 6. Scope. If the radar set is equipped with two or more types of cathode-ray indicators, which should be used, and under what conditions is one preferable to another?

The answers to these questions, for different types of radar sets operating in various tactical situations, will provide you with the foundation of operational techniques. From this foundation, each special circumstance will require variations which can only be

There are three basic types of radar:

1. Surface search 2. Air search 3. Fire control

In this section, the operation of the first two types will be discussed in general terms. However, since fire-control radars have such widely varying characteristics, recommended operational techniques will be particularized for each type, and will appear only in Part 4.

Each type of radar has been designed for one specific purpose, and there is nothing that you, as an operator, can do to modify these purposes. An air-search radar is a poor surface-search radar, and vice versa. Each of these types may serve in an emergency as a fire-control radar, but they cannot he expected to furnish ranges, bearings, and position angles with the same degree of accuracy as a fire-control radar specifically designed for that purpose. In case of failure of either the air- or surface-search radars, the fire-control gear may act as a search set.

SURFACE-SEARCH RADAR

The words surface search are misleading, since search is only one of many functions that has been delegated to this general type of radar. The six major functions are listed below, together with suggestions for optimum radar efficiency under each condition.

Long-range search for large targets.

It is essential that large surface targets be detected at the maximum possible range of the radar, so that effective attack or evasive tactics can be employed. The range scale used should be longer than the expected maximum range on ships. The gain control should be set for maximum readability of an echo at 30,000 to 60,000 yards. This setting must be previously established for each particular radar set. The antenna should be rotated at the slowest available speed; an occasional sweep should be made using the manual control, if one is provided. The "A" scope (if the radar is so equipped) will usually show the initial contact before it appears on the PPI.

Assume for this discussion that you are not interested in firing on the new contact. However, you might desire to keep a rough track thereof in order to maneuver around it. Your procedure, then, would be to continue a long-range search, reading bearings and ranges of the contact "on the fly," without stopping the antenna. With practice, sufficiently accurate data may thus be obtained to maintain a reasonably exact track. The important consideration of the on-the-fly operating technique is that you are continuing to search for other contacts (which the Captain may later decide to attack) without sacrificing the search efficiency of the radar by stopping its antenna on a contact that admittedly is not of primary interest.

Ranges read on-the-fly will be more nearly accurate

Short-range search for small targets.

This might be called the submarine or PT boat search, and should be conducted primarily when cruising independently. When cruising in company, the OTC will normally assign the search function of each radar in the force. The range scale used for small target search should usually be the shortest available scale, although on some sets it may be found that the mid-range scale can be used to better advantage. The receiver gain should be varied during the entire search , its setting depending on the amount of sea return present and other tactical considerations. Look for periscopes close aboard, increase the gain a little, and search near the outer limits of the sea-return area for surfaced submarines and small patrol craft. Remember that sea return is basically the same as an echo from a target, and that it must be present if a small target echo is to be detected.

Operating experience will determine the correct gain setting for different amounts of sea return. Antenna rotation should be as slow as possible; again, make occasional manual searches. New targets should appear on either the "A" scope or the PPI almost

Station keeping.

There are some situations that will demand the exclusive use of a search radar set for station keeping. It must be understood that when this radar is used for station keeping, it is not performing its intended purpose as a search radar.

The normal requirements of station keeping are such that the antenna should be rotated continuously, using the short range scale on the indicator. Bearings and ranges on the guide, or on other suitable ships in the formation, may be estimated from the PPI scope. It has been found useful, when proper conditions prevail, to maintain a plot directly on the face of a remote PPI scope with a chinagraph pencil, or to put a spot on the master PPI representing the place on the scope where the guide should appear when you are on station. Any indication of incorrect station will become immediately evident in this system. Search should not be forgotten when keeping station, and a regular plan of shifting range scales and receiver gain should be adopted. The gain should be turned down only while obtaining necessary station keeping information.

Admittedly, there are situations that demand extremely accurate station keeping. When such is the case, auxiliary fire-control procedure should be followed, utilizing the most accurate ranges and bearings available from the radar. Search must necessarily be forgotten, or minimized, during intricate maneuvers.

Navigation.

One of the most useful functions of a surface-search radar is its contribution to navigation. However, the limitations involved when radar is put to such use must be thoroughly understood. Unless you know the contour and composition of the land that is reflecting the radar energy you are never safe in reporting a range to the "nearest point of land." For instance, if you are ranging on a sharp cliff that rises

The beam width of the antenna must also be considered when an attempt is made to obtain a radar picture of a shore line. A few illustrations will show why this is so.

The first series of illustrations in figure 3-2, show how the radar shore line changes as the ship moves from one position to another. Notice that the harbor has been completely obscured by the radar shore line in all instances, and that a ship that might be situated anywhere inside the shaded areas would not appear on account of this beam-width distortion. The explanatory remarks in the first drawing are applicable to all of the subsequent illustrations.

All of the examples have been based upon the assumption that equal reflection is obtained from all points along the shore line. While this is rarely the actual case, it is a necessary assumption for a theoretical situation. The radar shore line will differ from the actual shore line by an amount depending upon the beam width of the antenna, the contour and composition of the land in the immediate vicinity of the shore line, the bearing of the ship from the shore at any given time, and the amount of receiver gain used.

It is impossible to describe all situations that might he encountered in ranging upon a shore line with radar. Each problem has its own special features, and must be treated individually by the ship involved.

More accurate fixes can be obtained if echoes from smaller land masses are used. On the PPI shown in figure 3-3, points X and Y would provide the best navigational fix.

Figure 3-3. Small land masses provide accurate navigational fixes.

however, that the chart itself may he in error, so its known accuracy must be considered in this procedure. A collection of sketches of the composition of pips may be useful when you return to a particular location.

Figure 3-4. Prominent landmark pips help in locating ship's position.

Auxiliary fire control.

You are, by definition, using your surface-search radar as a lire-control radar as soon as you start to track a contact. This is often a desirable procedure in spite of the fact that the search efficiency is decreased during such operations. If your ship has no fire-control

The radar operator must furnish more accurate ranges and bearings than those provided by obtaining them "on the fly." There are two methods of developing a plot for fire-control work. These will be explained in detail in RADFIVE. Regardless of which method has been selected, you must stop the antenna to obtain accurate ranges from the "A" scope and bearings from the bearing indicator. If no "A" scope is available, the most accurate method of obtaining this data must be selected, depending upon the particular radars installed.

For radar spotting, the antenna must be fixed on the target while the shells are in flight so that splashes may he noted on the radar indicator. The torpedo-control work is usually delegated to surface-search radars and CIC, since the fire-control radar is busy furnishing necessary information for the solution of the gunfire problem. In spite of the high degree of accuracy necessary to the satisfactory solution of fire-control and torpedo-control problems, the best procedure is to make one or two complete antenna rotations every minute or so to make sure that bigger game is not approaching from a different bearing.

Composition.

Continuous practice is needed by all radar personnel before they become proficient in analyzing the pip on a radar screen. Every opportunity should be utilized when in company with friendly ships to make notes (on effects of position angle, size and type of targets, ranges, and relative bearings) on the composition of an echo.

Familiar double-peaked echoes are often noted from large ships, such as battleships and carriers, at medium or close ranges. Fluctuations of the pip are different when the reflecting object is a rolling destroyer or a more stable cargo vessel. These are among the "tricks if the trade" that must be mastered by an operator before he can he considered above average.

AIR-SEARCH RADAR

The continually changing tactics of the enemy relating to air attacks makes it difficult to outline the best operating techniques for this type of radar. Although the basic tactical situations will be discussed in this section, it would he well to remember that there are no set operating conditions that will hold true for all conditions of radar protection and offensive action.

The problem involved in this type of search is obvious. We want to make initial radar contact with the enemy attack groups at the maximum radar range. Patrol planes and snoopers most be intercepted before they can radio contact reports about our task force.

The range scale should he set to provide the longest available range in accordance with the observed maximum ranges of the particular radar, The PPI and the "A" scopes should be watched alternately, with the antenna rotating slowly. Receiver gain should he set for maximum readability of the indicator under observation. This means that the gain control will be at a different position for "A" and PPI operation.

Upon radar contact, the antenna should be stopped, and the echo scrutinized to determine the composition of the pip. The target should be challenged with the BL, and the "A" scope should show the IFF response if the target is friendly.

The slow antenna rotation should be resumed immediately, and the all-around search continued to detect other possible targets. The procedure to follow at this time will vary, depending on many factors too numerous to present in this book. The type of force, the availability of fighters, and the discovery of other bogies will influence the decision of the task force commander, but this much can he said for the general case: the discovery of a bogie demands an even more

Bearings should be obtained from the bearing cursor on the PPI, and ranges should be estimated directly from the PPI without using the range mark. This will be facilitated by inking range circles at five-mile intervals on the glass surface of the PPI tube, eliminating the use of the unsatisfactory range scale provided with these units. When the PPI is not available, ranges and bearings must be read "on the fly" with the aid of a scotch-tape range scale on the "A" scope.

Short-range search and multiple target tracking.

This search procedure could be followed when a torpedo plane attack is imminent or probable, and when raids are approaching from different bearings. Continuous antenna rotation is a necessity. The range scale should be set at its medium position, and the gain adjusted for maximum readability of the PPI. Ranges and bearings must be obtained in the same manner as that discussed for long-range search (from the PPI).

The speed of antenna rotation should be increased as the attack closes on the force, and you must be prepared to shift to the short-range scale as soon as the targets have reached the outer range limits of this scale. You must also be prepared to change to fire-control liaison operation since it is closely allied to short-range search operation.

Fighter director tracking.

For night interceptions this type of radar operation should be carried on during night fighter work so that the fighter director officer can effectively make a PPI interception. The 360 degrees search is abandoned, and the antenna is directed over only the area in the vicinity of the attempted interception. This method, however, concentrates all your efforts on a small area, and should be utilized only if there is sufficient air-search coverage from other radars in the force.

If the operator-plotter team is unable to provide an up-to-the-minute radar picture of daylight interception, fighter director tracking must be employed. Multiple-target tracking is preferable to this method, however, since all areas are covered by the radar.

Over land tracking and over land search.

Tracking targets over land is not as difficult as it may seem at first, although it is an art which requires considerable practice. Actually it is a special type of

Whenever planes fly over land masses, their contacts can not be seen on the PPI. Use the "A" scope and the shortest range scale on which the plane can be seen (if you intend to track it). With the antenna in manual rotation, train slowly through the land mass, watching for a bouncing pip among the steady ones. This will indicate the presence of a plane over land, and you may then read its range almost as accurately as if land were not there. To find its bearing, adjust the antenna carefully for maximum activity of the bouncing pip.

You should practice this technique on friendly planes when in port. IFF affords an excellent method of checking from time to time to be sure that you are on the plane.

Fire-control liaison.

When attacking groups of planes have closed within 20 miles of the force, it is essential that close cooperation be maintained between the air-search radar and the fire-control radars. The guns must often be "talked on" directly from the air-search radar, or by electrical target designation systems connected to that radar.

Depending on the particular installation, the radar may be set to furnish either true or relative bearings. It is preferable to utilize true bearings, provided suitable conversions have been incorporated in the

The antenna should be rotated as fast as possible, and the range scales used should be the shortest available on the radar. While this measurably decreases the air-search efficiency of the ship, primary consideration should be given to gunnery when planes have closed to attacking ranges.

Side lobes are especially troublesome in this type of operation, and the operator must be quick to distinguish the extraneous echoes involved. It will help to reduce the gain as far as practicable, in order to minimize these echoes. They may often be distinguished by comparing their width (in degrees)

Composition.

The "A" scope is of the greatest value when the composition of a contact is to be obtained. Constant drill by operating crews in estimating the composition of friendly planes is of inestimable value as a means of obtaining reliable data to be used on enemy raids.

Composition of raids should be checked at regular intervals, about every 20 miles of target travel, to make sure that any splitting of attack groups may be noted: the estimated size of the raid should be rechecked.

Pipology involves the study and interpretation of all types of contacts seen on radar indicators.

Composition is a closely related word, but not so all-inclusive, and answers the questions: what type? how many? friend or foe? Determination of composition is an art, and is perhaps the most enjoyable phase of radar operation. Given enough time, almost anyone can get the bearing and range of the target, but it takes skill, imagination, and above all, experience to determine composition. With continued experience and increased skill your predictions should be about 80% correct. Trying to identify every echo that appears will give you the practice you need, and whenever possible, get someone to find out what the target is, or was, and thus check the accuracy of your estimate.

Ability to interpret pips comes both from knowledge gained through study and from endless hours of practice on the radar. It is important not only to recognize the target, but also to recognize it in the shortest possible time. Some of the advantages of speed are:

1. It aids the plotters in assembling information. 2. It aids the ship's officers in making quick evaluations and decisions. 3. It gives the gun-director crew and computer operators much needed time in laying guns on the target. 4. It adds to the over-all efficiency of the radar watch.

Pips are of various types. Each type lends itself to interpretation. In general there are four characteristics of pips which will give you information useful in interpretation.

The "A" scope is most satisfactory for observing size and fluctuation of pips, an expanded or short range "A" scope for observing shape , while movement is best seen on the PPI. The following section takes up these pip characteristics in some detail to aid you in interpreting the things you are likely to see on radar scopes.

COMPOSITION

Friend or foe.

The first thing to determine obviously is the friend or foe status of the contact. This can be done only by using your IFF interrogrator, or by securing the information from another ship in your force which has already established this status. The method of handling such a situation is a matter of doctrine. You will be informed as to whether or not you are to make the identification, generally you do.

Having established the friend or foe status of the contact, the next step is to notice the rapidity and the extent of the echo's fluctuation. Consider the height of the echo, remembering the effect of range and fades; then note the depth or thickness of the echo. If the echo is saturated, reduce the gain. Look at the top and sides of the echo for any indication of two bumps or many little humps. What is the speed at which the echo is moving? Look at everything and draw on your entire background of knowledge and experience to interpret what you see.

First of all, upon what does the size of the pip (strength of received echo) depend? The answer is, unfortunately, quite a number of things, the most important of which are:

1. Range of the target. 2. Size of the target. 3. Height of your antenna (especially when surface targets are concerned). 4. Height of the target. 5. Whether the target is bow or broadside (target angle). 6. Atmospheric conditions. 7. Material composing the target. 8. Correctness of tuning. 9. Materiel condition of the radar set.

Due to the many variables involved, it is not possible to determine the exact size of the target in every case, but you can always make a reasonably

Figure 3-7. Two medium, three small targets.

accurate estimate. This much you do know: if you have a large and a small target at approximately the same range, the larger target will produce the large pip (stronger echo), other variables being equal. So, if you detect any enemy task force approaching, the picture on your PPI might appear as shown in figure 3-7. Thus, the only positive thing that size of pip

The best way of determining the approximate size of a target is to observe the range at which it was first detected. This method is especially good with micro-wave surface-search radars such as the SG, SF, SL, SO, etc. Radio waves from these radars travel in practically a straight line. At any given range it takes a certain size object to give back an echo that is just visible on the screen or scope with your radar tuned up as well as possible. Therefore, various types of targets or types of ships first become visible on the scope at some definite range. The echoes come from the ship's mast and upper superstructure first. The superstructure offers approximately the same size target regardless of the direction from which it is seen.

Each radar will have its own characteristic ranges for detecting the various types of targets, depending on how high the antenna is mounted, the power, and the sensitivity of the particular gear.

An estimate of the approximate size of targets at less than the maximum range can be made by considering the strength of the echo, the range, and the target angle. To facilitate this process a log should he kept for recording these data. The data can then be tabulated for quick reference, showing echo strength in E units, range, target angle, and type of -hip, as well as any special features of the pip that might be noticed.

The E system of designating echo strength is based on the ratio of the echo height to the grass height. This ratio is not affected by the setting of the gain control. See figure 1-17 in Part 1, General Radar Principles.

Target angle is an important consideration except at extreme maximum range. It is the angle measured from the bow of the target ship, clockwise (to the right) to a line drawn between your ship and the target ship. In other words target angle is the relative bearing of your ship as seen from the target ship. If you are astern of him the target angle is 1800; if you are broad on his port beam, the target angle is 270 degrees. Target angle can be found by tracking the target a few minutes (see RADFIVE, The Surface Plotting Manual ). Reference to this tabulation will

The bouncing motion of a pip provides another means of estimating the approximate size of a ship. A large target usually shows up as a slowly bobbing pip, varying in size from medium to large. A smaller object usually gives a more violently fluctuating pip, and, especially if the sea is choppy, may produce an echo that will flutter between a medium-sized pip and no pip at all. Of course, roughness of the sea affects the amount of fluttering of pips and this must always be taken into consideration. On a calm day echoes from stationary objects, such as a lighthouse, will produce an absolutely steady pip, hilt if your own ship is rolling, even this type of object will produce a rising and falling pip, unless the antenna is stabilized.

Another way of occasionally identifying the type of moving object is by tracking, and plotting its position over a period of time to determine its speed. Keep in mind, however, that the movement of your own ship makes the target change position on the radar screen.

Here are some examples of information which you might obtain from a radar. Try to determine from them what the target is: You detect an object at 9,000 yards. On the PPI it only shows up once every two or three revolutions. When examined on the range scope the pip is fluttering rapidly. From tracking and plotting the target, you determine its speed to he about 35 knots. Since you did not pick up the target until it was fairly close to you, this indicates that it is a small target: the rapid fluttering also indicates a small target. From the speed of 35 knots you can assume the target to be a small, fast, boat, probably a PT. The same type of target, had it been stationary, might have been a buoy, especially if you were near land where buoys might he expected.

Estimating the number of ships.

Bearing and range resolution. Targets at the same range will present separate pips only if they differ in bearing by a certain minimum angular distance. This angle is called the bearing resolution of the radar, and it varies from set to set (being proportional to beam width). On the other hand, targets on the same bearing will present separate pips only when they are separated in range by a certain minimum distance. This distance is called the range resolution of the radar, and it also varies from set to set (being proportional to pulse duration)

Figure 3-10B shows the picture appearing on the range scope with the antenna trained on a single target,

On the range scope, the pip is much higher as a result of more reflected energy teaching your antenna, while on the PPI, the pip is much wider. The pip is not deeper (thicker), since the time base represents only the range of the target. Figures 3-11B and 3-11C show only one pip, since the targets were too close together for the bearing resolution of the radar used.

Figures 3-12B and 3-12C are the pictures appearing on the range and PPI scope respectively, when the targets are still at the same range, but with their bearing difference great enough to obtain bearing resolution, as indicated in figure 3-12A. Here, a new pip will appear as the antenna is trained to the bearing of each individual target; their energy will not be cumulative since difference in bearing is greater than the antenna's effective beam width.

Next, consider figures 3-13B and 3-13C. Here again you see the antenna pointing on only one target, as noted in figure 3-13A. Compare these pips carefully with those appearing in figures 3-14B and 3-14C. Notice that the pips in figures 3-14B and 3-14C are deeper as a direct result of a range difference between the two targets. Should the two targets under observation have even a greater range difference, the deep pip will appear split, as shown in figures 3-15B and 3-15C. Here, the number of individual peaks will indicate the number of targets.

Effect of range on bearing resolution. As shown in figure 3-16, the ability of a radar to separate two targets close together in bearing improves as the range decreases , because the angular difference in their bearings is increasing. Notice that the two ships are covered simultaneously by the effective part of the lobe when at a range of 18 miles. On the other hand, when the same two ships close to five miles, the effective part of the beam cannot touch them at the same time, and they can be seen as two separate contacts. The bearing resolution angle, in other words, intercepts a smaller distance at short range than it does at long range. Keep counting contacts as the range closes.

Effect of sweep length on range resolution. Due to the fact that pictures are traced on scopes by a relatively large spot of light rather than by a tiny point of light, a certain amount of definition is lost. Regardless of the range scale in use, the size of the electron beam spot remains the same; consequently, it becomes increasingly difficult for this beam to trace a clear picture

The PPI drawings in figure 3-17 illustrate the point that a four-ship contact may look like one ship when

Effect of receiver gain on range resolution. The range resolution will always be best when the gain control is turned low enough to present saturation. You cannot read composition on a saturated echo (one so high on the range scope that the top is squared off),

To help you get a clearer concept of resolutions, let us consider the topic from another point of view, analyzing the effect of both bearing and range resolution at the same time rather than one at a time as previously done.

Now let us consider the figure 3-19. The group of ships when at long range just fits inside the one-pip area of the PPI, and as a result only one pip will be seen on that indicator (this would be true of 300 ships too, if they were disposed within the one-pip area). However, two pips will be seen on the "A" scope because the one-pip area of that scope is smaller and the disposition cannot be contained by it. In this case targets A and D will show as one pip which can be resolved in range from another pip formed by B and C. Thus by using the "A" scope you know there are at least two contacts instead of the single one shown by the PPI.

After this group of ships closes to a shorter range you will be able to tell much more about its composition. Even the PPI will then show three pips. Since B and D can be enclosed by the one-pip area they will give only one pip. When B and D are in the no-pip area, neither A nor C can fit in it; therefore, they will be resolved, and three contacts will be seen: A, B-D, and C. The "A" scope again shows its superiority in the field of composition. Notice how small its one-pip area is at this range. Only one ship at a time can be enclosed by it, with the result that four separate contacts can be recognized, In other words

What is the significance of this discussion? For one thing, the superiority of the "A" scope for composition reading is established. Furthermore, you now realize that the smaller the area occupied by a disposition of ships, the closer you will have to approach that disposition to tell by radar how many ships are in it. Finally you realize the importance of checking composition frequently as the range closes. At any instant one pip may become several.

Incidentally, the reverse of this is true even in the case of a closing contact, if the ships comprising that contact suddenly form a smaller disposition. Radar operators have reported ships sunk, because they did not realize that there is more than one way for two pips to become one pip.

Estimating the number of planes.

One aircraft contact gives a narrow pip which bounces wildly and irregularly. A large plane echo, however, will bounce less erratically than a small one, just as a pip from a large ship will bounce less than a pip from a small ship.

Two planes will usually give a slightly wider pip (wider in range or bearing), and the pip will rise and fall more slowly and regularly. The echo of three or more planes in formation will have an uneven, jigging motion, distinctly different from two planes in that it is not regular. The echo will not decrease to or near zero, but will vary at near maximum height.

The number of aircraft can be approximated in larger formations by counting the number of individual pips and multiplying that figure by three or four (this will give only a rough approximation of

An air-group contact may represent planes at some certain altitude, or it may represent a "stacked raid" (planes coming at more than one level). If the group contact divides somewhat so that you can recognize two separate groups, try to determine whether or not they fade at the same range. If they do not, they are not at the same altitude.

General hints on composition.

Inasmuch as air-search radars can detect surface targets, and surface-search radars can detect air targets, a few hints on recognition of these targets will be of value.

Land targets :

1. Not moving according to geographic plot, although the contact moves on the radar scope due to own-ships motion.

2. Pip does not bob like a moving target pip.

3. Should be at expected positions.

4. Usually cover greater area on screen than other targets.

5. Separate pips do not move relative to one another.

Ship targets :

1. Pip height bounces at fairly slow rate.

2. There are normally no fades except when range becomes too great.

4. Narrow tent-shaped pip compared with land, although a big rock may resemble a ship in this respect.

Plane targets :

1. Speed is greater than 50 knots.

2. Rapidly bobbing pip.

3. Fades appear periodically on long-wave air-search radars. (The reason for this is explained in Part 1.)

4. One plane gives a narrow, quickly bobbing pip.

5. Two planes together give a regularly bobbing pip.

6. A mass flight may give one or several large (high and/or wide) rapidly bobbing pips. Sometimes it is possible to count individual planes by breaks in the peaks of pips.

FALSE CONTACTS

Many pips appear on radar scopes that are false in the sense that they resemble ship or plane pips but are not caused by ships or planes. Report them, but say that you think they are false, and give your reasons.

Sea return.

The pips shown in figure 3-20 are produced by the radar pulses reflecting from nearby waves. These pips are constantly shifting position, and appear as rough.

Minor lobes.

The beam of radio waves sent out is not perfectly shaped like a searchlight's beam. Actually, if we could view the beam as we can a light beam, it would appear somewhat as shown in figure 3-21 (viewing it from above). We have the main lobe in the direction the

Figure 3-21. Major, minor, and back lobes.

antenna is pointing, and a series of smaller lobes, not wanted but unavoidable, pointing in various other directions. When these smaller lobes (called back and side lobes) illuminate a target they also produce echoes, especially if the target is large and fairly close. These minor lobes seldom reach out more than 6,000 or 7,000 yards, except when they strike high land. They produce a picture on the PPI as shown in figure 3-22.

Note that all pips are at the same range. The largest pip is the actual target; all others are minor-lobe echoes. The minor-lobe echoes may be eliminated by cutting down the gain, but that of course, may also eliminate other small targets from the screen,

The radar at times acts as a weather prophet since it indicates clouds, fog, rain squalls, and regions of sharp temperature differences. Some clouds are not visible to the eye; they are called ionized clouds, although this is a misnomer. Often an echo from a cloud resembles an ordinary pip from a surface target, and at night might lead to a wild goose chase" if it were not investigated further. Course and speed of the target should he determined by tracking it. If its course and speed agree with the wind's direction and speed you might suspect it to he a cloud. Unfortunately, upper air currents sometimes differ in direction and speed from those at the surface.

Figure 3-22. Minor lobe echoes.

More positive identification may he obtained by training on the target with the fire-control radar to

A rain squall or fog bank may usually be identified by the type of pip produced on the screen. It will be wide in bearing and thick in range; since neither rain nor fog forms a solid reflecting surface, the pip produced is of a fuzzy, lacy nature. A typical rain squall might appear on the range scope and PPI as shown in figure 3-23.

Often pips which move rapidly across the screen are seen: there may be one or several. They are usually caused by another radar transmitter of the same wave length, and may have the appearance of telephone poles as viewed from the window of a moving train.

Double-range echoes.

Double-range (or double-bounce) echoes are most frequently detected when there is a large target at comparatively close range abeam. Such echoes are produced when the reflected wave is sufficiently strong to make a second or third round trip, as shown in figure 3-25. Double-range echoes are weaker than the main echo, and appear at twice the range. Triple-range echoes are so very weak that they are seldom seen at all. You recall from Part 1 that these echoes are an aid in determining zero-set errors in radars.

Second-sweep echoes.

Second-sweep echoes appear only on some radars (never on the SC, SK, SA, but sometimes on SC, Mk. 3, Mk. 4, and other sets with high repetition rate). They are caused by echoes from targets at long range; in fact, from such a tong range that the echo from pulse 1 returns after pulse 2, and the echo from pulse 2 returns after pulse 3, etc. Since they must come from contacts at a greater distance than that indicated on your scope, their pips are usually smaller than you would expect at the indicated range. Usually they will be from land targets, since that is about the only target that can be seen far enough away to appear as a second-sweep echo. Find out if there is any land in the direction of a suspected second-sweep echo.

If you vary the repetition rate of your radar, the second-sweep contact will move to a new indicated

ENERGY REFLECTING OFF MAST

Figure 3-26. Antenna bearing 180 degrees relative; target bearing 080 degrees relative.

Reflection echoes.

Reflection echoes are sometimes seen, due to the radar wave being reflected from some surface aboard your ship. It results in a contact at the correct range but the wrong bearing. This type of echo only occurs when the antenna is on a certain relative bearing. You should know the relative bearing of your particular installation which is subject to this fault.

Wakes.

The wakes of nearby large ships will he detected by your radar from time to time, especially during turns of the target ships, and when running at full speed. They are small, ill-defined contacts on the PPI, near to but astern of the ship contact causing them.

Miscellaneous objects on the surface.

Unexplainable echoes, usually at very close range, may be from whitecaps (beyond the sea-return in the direction from which the wind is coming), from birds, from floating objects such as large metal cans or shell cases, and from seaweed.

PPI INTERPRETATION

Radar shadows.

In order to visualize land nearly as radar "sees" it, imagine yourself looking down on an area from a point high in the sky above it, at about the time of sunset. The beam of light from the low sun illuminates the parts of land that a radar on the same bearing would "see" but of course there will be shadows in the hollows and behind the mountains. These same areas will be in "radar shadows" and therefore not detected by the radar. So much for the points of similarity between these two pictures. Now let us analyze the differences.

Beam-width distortion and pulse-length distortion.

Two types of distortion are always involved in PPI presentation. One is due to the diverging beam of the radar, and can be calledbeam-width distortion.

Have you ever noticed that a straight shore line often looks crescent-shaped on the PPI The effect is noticeable on any radar at times, but is most pronounced on long-wave air-search sets. The slight crescent-shaped effect is due to beam-width distortion. Notice in the drawings of figure 3-28 that the coast-line distortion is negligible at points where the shore is at right angles to your line of sight, but as this angle decreases, the shore-line distortion increases is shown, reaching a maximum at Various points of tangency.

At times the crescent-shaped effect is so noticeable that according to the PPI, you seem to be in the lagoon of a coral atoll or land-locked harbor, when actually you are off a fairly straight but mountainous coast line. This complete ringing effect will be noticed only on long-wave (air-search) sets; it causes much concern among fighter director officers and others concerned with air defense. This effect is due to a combination of two things. One is the beam-width distortion already mentioned and the other is side- and back-lobe contacts.

Low land.

Radar frequently fails to detect low-lying and gradually sloping land, especially at long range. This results in another distortion of a coast line.

Ships near shore.

Ships or rocks close to the shore may blend with it and either lose their identity completely or appear as a bump on the coast line. The effect is due, of course, to the spreading of all contacts in both bearing and range. A ship may hide from radar by getting very close to shore at any point, but the best place to escape radar detection would be at a point of tangency near the shore (the higher the better with relation to the radar's position).

1. The low sand beach is not detected by the radar. 2. The tower on the low sand beach is detected but it looks like a ship in a cove. At closer range the low land would be detected and the cove-shaped area would fill in; then the radio tower could not be seen without reducing receiver again. 3. The diverging radar shadow behind both mountains. Distortion due to radar shadows is responsible for more confusion than any other factor. The small island does not show for this reason. Notice also that the back half of the mountains does not show. 4. The beam-width distortion (the spreading of land in bearing). Notice that it is maximum at points of tangency. Look at the upper shore of the peninsula and notice that the shore-line distortion (due to beam-width distortion) is greater at the left than at the right. This is because the angle between the radar beam and the shore line is smaller at the left than at the right. 5. Ship 1 looks like a small peninsula. Her contact has merged with land, due to beam-width distortion. If land had been a much better radar target than the ship, the contact due to the former would have completely covered that due to the ship. 6. Ship 2 also merges with the shore and forms a bump on it. In this case she has merged with land due to pulse-length distortion (range spread). Reducing receiver gain might cause her to separate from land if she was not too close to shore.

MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS

Course changes.

In many cases you can tell when a target changes its course before this fact is revealed by the plot. The change is indicated by an increase or decrease in the strength of the echo, and is due to increased or decreased presentment. For example: a target may be seen end-on, giving an E-2 echo, but when the same target changes course so that you are facing its broadside, the echo suddenly increases to E-4. You will not usually be able to notice any difference in the echo strength as a result of small changes in target course; therefore any sudden, noticeable change in the echo will indicate a substantial course change. You should report this without delay, even though you cannot tell which way the target has turned. The fact that it has changed course at all will often be significant.

Blind sectors.

You have been told that radar shadow always exists behind objects that reflect radar energy. Naturally then, unless your antenna is higher than any other part of your ship, it is possible that a blind sector may exist on some relative bearing due to the effect of such radar obstacles aboard your own ship as

Figure 3-29. Graph showing blind sector.

One way to check for blind sectors is to keep your antenna trained exactly on some steady land target while "swinging ship" through 360 degrees several times. It will be easy if your radar is a true-bearing type, since the antenna will stay on the target as the ship swings. A graph may be made using polar coordinates, showing echo height versus relative bearing of the chosen land contact. It might be useful to attach a temporary scale to the A scope to assist in determining the relative strengths of the echoes. An illustrative graph is shown in figure 3-29.

Such a graph will enable you to estimate which relative bearings are partially blind to your radar. Several graphs should be made before the final pattern is determined. If it is impossible to utilize a land echo,

From the foregoing discussion it can be seen that there is more to learning to be a to radar operator than just studying the information in books. It is going to take a lot of actual work on the apparatus itself, but operating time alone means nothing unless you get into the habit of thinking, observing, and remembering, making predictions and checking them, and looking for small details. Radar operating is an art.

The enemy has two purposes in using radar countermeasures: first, he hopes to prevent us from obtaining any accurate or useful information about his forces by the use of our radars; and second, he wishes to get information about our forces by listening to our radars. The radar countermeasures methods that may be used in accomplishing these purposes are of four types: interception, jamming, deception, and evasion.

Interception is the detection of radar signals by the use of a special receiver. By this means, the enemy learns of our presence in his vicinity, obtains an approximate bearing on our position, and he may determine some of the characteristics of our radars.

Jamming is the deliberate production by the enemy of strong signals for the purpose of hiding his movements or position from our radar by obliterating or confusing the echoes on our indicators. The jamming signals may be produced by a modulated radio transmission, which is electronic jamming, or by echoes returned from many small metal strips, termed Window.

Deception is the deliberate production by the enemy of false or misleading echoes on our radar by the radiation of spurious signals synchronized to the radar, or by the reradiation of radar pulses from extraneous reflectors. Small targets may be made to appear like large ones or echoes may be made to appear where no genuine target exists.

Evasion consists of tactics that are designed to take advantage of the limitations of our radar to prevent

VULNERABILITY OF RADAR TO
COUNTERMEASURES

Interception.

Radar pulses become weaker as they go away from the radar. Only a small fraction of the energy of these pulses is reflected by the target. This small amount of energy becomes even weaker in returning to the radar. At ranges where the pulse is too weak to return a useable echo, the pulse may still be strong enough to be detected by a receiver. Thus, if the enemy has receivers for listening to our radars, he will be able to detect our forces at ranges greater than those at which we can detect him by radar. In addition to detecting our radar, the enemy can also determine our radar frequency, pulse repetition rate, pulse duration, and whether or not lobe switching is used, and use these data for subsequent countermeasures operations. It may also be possible for the enemy to estimate the size of the force near him by noting the number of signals intercepted, or to analyze the intercepted signals as a means of telling whether or not he has been detected by our radar.

The coverage of a radar can be charted by intelligent use of intercept receivers if the radar operator

Jamming signals are generated by transmitters that may be carried in aircraft, on ships, or installed at land bases. The transmitter is operated as nearly as possible on the frequency of the radar which it is desired to jam. The signal from the jamming transmitter is usually much stronger than the radar echo, since the jamming travels directly, as opposed to the round-trip path taken by emission from the radar. A strong jamming signal may overload the radar receiver, which necessarily has been designed to be a very sensitive instrument, and therefore it may be rather susceptible to overloading.

Figure 3-32. Electronic jammers ore less effective at short ranges than at long.

When a jammer is not on every vessel to be screened, it is difficult to prevent detection of the force from every direction. For example, in figure 3-33 a very exaggerated case is illustrated. Enemy ships 3 and 5 are equipped with jammers and their mission is to conceal the force. Since enemy ships 3, 4, and 5 all bear the same from friendly ship 1, they are concealed by the jammer on 3. However, a picket ship at 2 may be able to range on some of the targets in spite of the attempt by enemy ship 5 to jam him. Even though some of the ships in a task group are hopelessly jammed, others may be relatively unaffected. Therefore, keep all the radars in operation because the situation may improve as the dispositions of the two forces change.

An aircraft carrying a jammer might pass through a fade zone while echoes from the ship he is protecting are unaffected. This would cause a sudden improvement in echo strength over the jamming, perhaps making more readable echoes that were obscured. This same effect may occur when the jammer is on the ship to be screened, since the antenna pattern of a surface search radar also is broken into many lobes and nulls by reflection of the radiation from the water. The jammer antenna must direct its radiation directly into the small area of the radar antenna, while the radar antenna needs only to cause its pulse to hit some part of the large area of the enemy ship to get an echo back. At ranges where the jammer antenna is in a null of the radar, as in figure 3-34, the jamming is ineffective, but an echo is returned from the superstructure of the enemy ship because the lobe below the null strikes the ship. Thus, it is necessary to keep the radar operating, and to maintain a close watch on the scope when jamming is encountered, because the jamming effectiveness may suddenly be reduced.

Off-target jamming is seldom produced deliberately; it usually occurs because the disposition of the jamming ships changes relative to the vessels they are attempting to screen. Jamming of this type imposes no special problem for most search radars, but if the radar is one that employs lobe switching, bearing

The relative ineffectiveness of off-target jamming, except against lobe-switching radars, suggests maneuvering until the jammer is in an unfavorable position.

Microwave radars are less vulnerable to electronic jamming than long wave types. The narrow beam width allows targets to be seen close to the jammer bearing, and the concentration of high power in a single direction makes for high signal strength relative to the jamming. Adequate jamming is hard to produce against microwave radars because it is difficult to develop high power at these frequencies.

A radar operating at peak efficiency is far less susceptible to jamming than one which is out of adjustment.

The A scope is less vulnerable to jamming than the PPI or B types, and therefore should be used when jamming is encountered. However, in the case of noise jamming, the A scope is little better than any other type of indicator, but it will be found more useful against most other types of jamming. PPI or 13 presentations are preferred only when it is desired to find the bearing of the jammer. It is not desirable to keep the antenna stopped for long intervals while trying to read through jamming on the A scope. All-around search must always be maintained.

Jamming can also be accomplished by the dispersal of many strips of reflecting material, called Window. Since Window jamming consists of a cloud of particles that occupy a definite place in space, the vulnerability of radar to this type of jamming is different from the vulnerability to electronic jamming. Unlike cases in which electronic jamming is employed, the location of Window relative to any targets which it is supposed to screen is continually changing. Window moves with the wind at a speed approximately 2/3 that of the wind, while the speed of the enemy ship may be greater or less than the speed of the wind. If the Window area is not large, the enemy

Window produces pips that are quite similar to those from real targets, whereas electronic emissions fill the scope screen with patterns totally unlike those normally encountered. Also, the reflected signals from Window will occupy only a portion of the trace, while electronic emissions cover the entire sweep.

The first indication of an impending raid may be Window pips on long range search radars, so that the jamming may work against the group responsible for it. With fire control or height-finding radar, on the other hand, properly distributed Window can ruin the accuracy of determination of bearing and height. Because Window can ruin the accuracy of AA fire control radar, the principal use of Window has been against this type of radar as a means of escaping from AA fire after an attack.

If the enemy intends to infect a large area with Window to prevent search or fire control by radar, he will drop packages of it while flying a course that will provide good coverage. A single plane may fly a flat spiral or a figure-of-eight course; when several planes are working together, they may fly straight parallel courses, dropping packages of Window at periodic intervals. Surface craft may infect smaller areas by firing Window-filled shells or rockets. However, to be effective in concealing targets within the Window cloud, the packages must be dropped at close enough intervals that each bundle will not exist as a separate cloud, but that all the Window bundles will blend into one large cloud. The better the range and bearing resolution of the radar, the closer the Window must be sown to conceal the targets within the cloud.

Deception.

Although it is possible to deceive radars by the use of electronic devices, the necessary equipment is difficult to design and operate. Test operations using electronic deception have indicated that the results seldom are good enough to warrant the trouble involved. Since the enemy faces a great problem in this field because we have more radar on more frequencies, it is unlikely that electronic deception will be encountered to any great extent.

However, the use of mechanical devices for deception is entirely feasible, and both the Germans and

Evasion.

Low-frequency radars, such as the SK and other air search sets, can not detect low-flying targets at long range, because the antenna pattern is such that the beam does not provide good low cover. The enemy is quite aware of this shortcoming and his air strikes frequently approach "on the deck". Air-search radars are not able to detect changes of altitude nor are they able to detect aircraft flying over land with any certainty. The Jap knows these limitations too, and makes full use of them to avoid detection by radar. These failings are serious, but they will soon be remedied by new equipment that is being produced.

DISTINGUISHING JAMMING FROM INTERFERENCE

Interference is caused by the reception of confusing signals accidentally produced by the effects of either friendly or enemy electrical apparatus and machinery, or by atmospheric phenomena. Interference should not be confused with enemy countermeasures.

Accidental interference from many types of electronic gear and electrical machinery has been noted on radars. The signals may enter the radar receiver by shock excitation of radio antennas or guy wires, through the power line, by way of inter-connecting cables between various units, or because of inadequate shielding of the radar equipment. It is difficult to predict the effects these signals will have on radar operation. In some cases accidental interference may

Internal equipment faults. Cluttered scope patterns caused by internal faults in the equipment may be distinguished from jamming or external interference because the scope pattern remains the same regardless of the direction in which the antenna is trained. If trouble persists, call the technician. However, with strong jamming the same effect may be observed if the receiver gain is not reduced.

Interference from other gear aboard own ship. It usually is possible to take a bearing on interference of this type. The relative bearing will always remain the same, but the true bearing will change with changes in the ship's course. If both bearings change, the trouble is not on board.

Pulse interference from other radar. Pulse interference causes light, tall pips on A-scope screens. These pips move back and forth along the trace in a random manner, giving the pattern the name "running rabbits". The spacing between pulses is usually much larger than the width of the pulses.

It is possible to take bearings on pulse interference from other radars in the same frequency band and having approximately the same pulse repetition rate. At short ranges, the indications appear over a large arc of antenna train. The usual method is to consider the center of the arc as the correct bearing, instead of training for maximum strength or distinctness of the signal. This system has been used to home on ships in convoy or on shore installations.

Pulse interference on the PPI results in a series of broken spirals. Under normal conditions,

Interference from radio transmitters, beacons, etc. Keyed CW may be read as dots and dashes. Rotating the radar antenna may or may not produce any difference, depending on how the interference is getting into your radar.

Radiotelephone transmitters on board the ship sometimes produces interference, but they may be distinguished by one or more of the methods discussed in the preceding paragraphs. This same type of interference coming from nearby ships may sometimes be very confusing to the operator. Therefore, every effort should be made by the operator to learn to identify it so that he will not confuse communications interference with enemy jamming.

Spark interference caused by commutator or ignition sparking appears on the A scope as a series of narrow, regularly spaced pulses. Interference from spark transmitters, diathermy apparatus, etc., will produce wider pulses, more closely spaced. Generally the train of interfering pulses will move across the screen. Spark interference may blank out the screen of PPI scopes in one or several sectors, depending on the signal strength.

Atmospherics. Returns from rain clouds or other atmospheric condition are not likely to be confused with transmission jamming. They are, however,

Figure 3-37. Interference produced by keying of radio transmitter on board ship. Note appearance of dots and dashes and non-directional effect produced. In this case the interference is not entering by means of the radar antenna, but directly into the radar receiver itself.

Lightning has been observed to produce large pulses on P band radar. St. Elmo's fire has also caused severe interference with P band radar on occasion.

CLASSIFICATION OF TYPES OF JAMMING

The two general classes of jamming are (1) the electronic type, in which use is made of a radio transmitter, and (2) mechanical or Window jamming.

Electronic jamming.

Types of electronic jamming may be classified according to the nature of the emission employed by

The first general characteristic the operator may easily note about modulated transmission jamming is whether it is synchronous or nonsynchronous.

Synchronous jamming refers to signals which are modulated at an exact multiple of the pulse repetition rate of the radar against which they are being used. Thus, if your equipment is operating on a PRR of 60 cycles and the jammer is modulated at four times that,

A second consideration when attempting to distinguish between types of jamming is the approximate determination of the modulation frequency of the jammer. Jamming modulation frequencies may generally be classified as low, medium, or high.

On short range scales, or when using an expanded sweep, the electron beam which traces the time base moves much faster than on long range scales. This means that for a given type of jamming signal, the pattern will be less complex when the indicator uses a short range scale. Changing the range scale has the same effect as changing the frequency of the jamming modulation, so that what appears to be high-frequency jamming on a long range scale may look like low-frequency on the short scale. It is necessary, therefore, to specify the particular range scale in use when describing a jamming signal.

Figure 3-41. The PPI in the presence at jamming.

Unmodulated CW jamming. Weak unmodulated CW jamming (or strong jamming at low gain control settings) causes an increase in both signal and noise level on the A scope. The trace may become distorted, (figure 3-42B), as the radar antenna first comes into and as it leaves the jammed sector. If the antenna were stopped in the jammed sector, the trace would assume a position along the normal base line. It will be noted that the pip is double sided and is more or less "filled-in" depending on how close the jammer frequency is to our radar frequency. As the jamming becomes stronger, both the grass and a single-sided pip may appear below the baseline (inverted). Finally, as shown in C, complete overload occurs, wiping the trace clean of both pip and grass.

Low-frequency amplitude-modulated CW jamming. Somewhere within this region, depending upon the sweep time, the effect known as "tramlines" will occur. Tramlines appear as a number of adjacent, sometimes crossing, horizontal baselines on the A scope. The reason for the multiple pattern is that successive traces are deflected vertically different amounts by the jamming modulations. The target echo will appear on each trace, and it may be double-sided or inverted, as in CW jamming. If unsynchronized, the tramlines move up and down, so as to seem to breathe.

High-frequency amplitude-modulated CW. The pattern obtained from this type of jamming is of the vertical type described under medium frequency and cannot readily be distinguished from it when the jamming is non-synchronous. The echo will have more of the appearance of riding on top if saturation is not occurring, and the lines of shading will be closer together.

Frequency-modulated CW jamming. Frequency-modulated jamming is not distinguishable from amplitude-modulated types except in the special cases of

Pulse jamming. Pulsed jamming transmissions are usually sent out at many times the pulse repetition rate of our radars, so as to cause a number of high vertical pips on the screen. These pips are usually wider than echoes, move together, and are evenly spaced. They may look like a picket fence, or a fine tooth comb, the indications becoming closer together as the jamming pulse rate is increased. The name "railings" has been given to this type of jamming.

It is possible to see echoes through railings that

Mixed jamming. Two or more different kinds of jamming may be sent out simultaneously. The A scope will then exhibit the characteristics of each of the particular types. For example, a variety of "German mixture" is made up of a combination of

Noise jamming. Noise jamming produces abnormally high grass on A scopes without increasing the level of the desired signal. If the height of the grass is several times that of the echo, it is very hard to work through: With the regular patterns produced by other types of electronic jamming, it is usually possible to adjust the radar receiver controls so as to make the target pip produce some irregularity in the picture, which can then be ranged on, but the random nature of noise does not permit this. It is regarded as the most effective type of jamming, and, if sufficiently strong, very little can be done to combat it. However, effective noise modulation is the hardest to obtain technically, and unless it is good it may be as easy to work through as high-frequency modulated signals.

Window jamming.

Mechanical jamming by means of Window is now being employed by the enemy to a much greater extent than any kind of electronic jamming. However, this situation is changeable, making it important to learn anti-jamming measures against both general types.

The name Window probably results from the fact that the material originally consisted of squares or oblong pieces of aluminum foil. When this foil was dropped by an airplane, the light reflections looked like those from many windows. It was found later that more efficient use could be made of a given amount of foil by cutting it up into narrow thin strips. The Window now used consists of such strips which are packed together in bundles when carried in an aircraft and which disperse when dropped. The

The first operational use of Window was in July 1943, when 700 British bombers dropped 2300 tons of bombs and 30 tons of Window in a raid on Hamburg. A lane or corridor 40 miles wide and 80 miles long leading into the target was infected with the material. As a result, bomber losses were much less than experienced on a previous, similar raid where no Window was used. Since then most combatants have used Window in attacks on land and sea forces.

Window dropped by aircraft first appears as a series of pips trailing out from behind the sowing plane. The indications closely resemble those from aircraft, except that Window gives a very rapid beating effect in contrast to the steady rhythmic beat of real aircraft targets. This is because the strips flutter as they drift downward. When a very large amount of Window is released, the signals saturate a sizeable portion of the range scale. (See between 1 and 2 in figure 3-48 A). The characteristic beating causes minute oscillations or "ripples" in the trace where it is not saturating. Later, individual pips are seen, as in B. These become broader, more ragged, and less like actual targets as time passes. They occupy a greater portion of the trace when the material disperses, but show only a very slow change in range. Window drifts downwind at approximately two thirds of the wind velocity. It falls at about two to three hundred feet a minute. Therefore, an important thing to remember about Window is that i t remains relatively motionless compared to an airborne target. On PPI scopes, Window appears as an island or cloud-like mass which gradually spreads out, and

The length of time Window will remain on our scopes depends on the altitude from which it is released. When dropped from 10,000 feet, it may be troublesome for as long as thirty minutes on air search radars. If dispersed by projectiles at low altitudes to screen shipping, the time is much less.

Other Mechanical Jamming. On frequencies below 200 megacycles and in the microwave region, long streamers of reflecting material are used in preference to short strips. These streamers are usually parachute supported, and are released in the same manner as packages of Window. This material is called Rope and produces a large echo having a lower rate of flutter than Window.

Window as a deceptive device.

One of the most important uses of Wi