Towards the Sea Wind Measurement with the Airborne Scatterometer Having the Rotating-Beam Antenna Mounted over Fuselage

Extension of the existing airborne radars' applicability is a perspective approach to the remote sensing of the environment. Here we investigate the capability of the rotating-beam radar installed over the fuselage for the sea surface wind measurement based on the comparison of the backscatter with the respective geophysical model function (GMF). We also consider the robustness of the proposed approach to the partial shading of the underlying water surface by the aircraft nose, tail, and wings. The wind retrieval algorithms have been developed and evaluated using Monte-Carlo simulations. We find our results promising both for the development of new remote sensing systems as well as the functional enhancement of existing airborne radars.

Automated summary

The study extends the applicability of existing airborne radars through radar technology, evaluating the sea surface wind measurement capability by comparing the backscatter with the geophysical model function. The study also takes into account the partial shading of the water surface by the aircraft. The results show promise for the development of new remote sensing systems and functional enhancement of existing airborne radars.