Low signature UAVs: radar cross section analysis, simulation, and measurement in X-band

The increasing prevalence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is driving the development of radar systems capable of detecting them. This hampers the deployment of UAVs in military operations. While radar cross section reduction (RCSR) can be a valuable solution, the research on this subject is inadequate. This paper presents an RCSR approach adopting a shaping technique for UAVs, demonstrating the proposed approach’s efficacy through simulations and actual experimental measurements performed in X-Band on a four-legged UAV model. Using electromagnetic computational instruments, the shaping is applied to the designed UAV model with parameter-based simulations, the simulated radar cross section (RCS) values are derived, and the comparative analysis of these instruments is conducted. Experimental measurements are performed in laboratory conditions using a vector network analyzer. Actual measurement results are validated by simulative findings with the examination of the influence of frequency, polarization, and aspect angle on RCS. The demonstrated measuring approach allows cost-effective and easily applicable research on RCS in X-Band, a commonly utilized frequency range in military. An average RCSR of 10 dBsm has been accomplished with the presented shaping approach.