The Radar Target Scatter Division (RATSCAT) is the primary DoD facility for outdoor static radar cross section (RCS) measurements. RATSCAT is comprised of two physically separate sites, Mainsite and RATSCAT Advanced Measurement System (RAMS) site. At RATSCAT, full-scale, flyable aircraft and missiles, operational vehicles, aerospace models, and miscellaneous targets can be accurately measured for both monostatic and bistatic radar target signatures. These measurements support low observable (stealth) weapon systems development, technology assessments, product improvements and tactical planning for the Department of Defense and U.S. Government sponsored efforts. RATSCAT began measuring radar scattering in 1963, and since then has successfully provided radar cross section diagnostic images, phase, glint, and antenna pattern measurements for hundreds of test programs. These tests have resulted in major contributions to weapon airframe technology programs, such as the A-10, B-1, B-2, AMRAAM, F-16, F-18, and F-117, and various advanced technology programs.
The Radar Target Scatter (RATSCAT) Division manages two premier, outdoor, static radar signature measurement ranges (Main Site and RAMS).
The Main Site facilities are capable of radar cross section (RCS) amplitude and phase measurements (monostatic and bistatic), antenna pattern measurements, glint and near field measurements. A wide variety of targets can be tested--from small missiles, reentry vehicles and models to full size aircraft or ground vehicles. Targets can be mounted on low-background pylons or columns at a variety of heights, orientations, and locations to meet virtually any measurement requirement.
Although complementary, the Main Site and RAMS ranges each offer one-of-a-kind capabilities. Both are located on White Sands Missile Range.
The RATSCAT Advanced Measurement System (RAMS) is an extremely efficient, secure, shadow plane range specifically designed for monostatic RCS measurements of very low RCS targets weighing up to 30,000 pounds. The phase coherent radar at RAMS measures RCS amplitude and phase for a wide range of target orientations utilizing the low-background, retractable pylon.
Typical data plots for both ranges include polar and rectangular RCS plots, 1-d and 2-d RCS diagnostic images, and global RCS plots. In addition, RATSCAT provides error budgets, theoretical measurement bounds, and a variety of data formats.