What measurement factor is associated with the size and noise measurements of a detected track?

• A. Doppler Shift
• B. Radar Cross Section
• C. Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• D. Elevation Angle

Answer: (B)

Radar cross section is the property that links how a target appears to the radar and how strong its return is. It describes the effective size of the target as seen by the radar and directly influences the strength of the backscattered signal. A larger radar cross section means a brighter return, making the detected track larger on the radar display and the measurement more robust against noise. A smaller cross section gives a weaker return, making the track appear smaller and more susceptible to noise. Doppler shift tells you about relative motion, not how big the track is or its noise characteristics. Elevation angle relates to where the target is in the sky from the radar’s perspective, not the track’s size or noise. Signal-to-noise ratio is about the quality of the received signal overall, but the specific factor that determines the track’s size and its noise behavior is the radar cross section.