Monostatic RCS for general aviation aircraft

Proliferation of High Performance Computing (HPC) has significantly furthered the ability of Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) codes to solve Radar Cross Section (RCS) problems at higher frequencies, finer angular resolutions and greater accuracy. Typically, platforms become very large electrically with increase in frequency and are nearly impossible to solve using full wave methods. Asymptotic codes that incorporate various advanced scattering mechanisms/features are required to best predict complex field contributions. In this study, Signa (an advanced asymptotic monostatic RCS code) is compared to the proven and highly accurate full wave Method of Moments (MoM) code, WIPL-D. The monostatic RCS at the horizon of a small commercial aircraft (Beechcraft Bonanza) is chosen for Signa to WIPL-D comparisons at L, S and C bands. In general, Signa and WIPL-D comparisons were very favorable, barring a small sector response in the tail region of the aircraft.