Method for selecting the shape and materials of unmanned aerial vehicle structural elements to form their required radar signature

During the execution of combat missions involving the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, situations may arise where the successful completion of the mission critically depends on their level of radar signature. The most effective methods for achieving the required radar signature include optimizing surface geometry; applying radar-absorbent materials and coatings; using passive reflectors, which allow for increasing the radar cross-section of an object, as well as managing secondary radiation.

Unmanned aerial vehicles performing, for example, reconnaissance operations or used as strike assets during a combat mission, should possess a reduced radar signature. A lower radar signature will allow enemy radar means to detect unmanned aerial vehicles at a shorter range, and, as a result, the probability of successful completion of the combat mission will be increased. However, there are cases when the radar signature of unmanned aerial vehicles needs to be increased to a certain level. These should include cases where unmanned aerial vehicles are used as targets or for simulating other types of aircraft. Furthermore, increasing the radar signature of unmanned aerial vehicles is necessary for their stable detection and tracking when they are used as interceptors. Consequently, the task arises of finding ways to implement the required radar signature for unmanned aerial vehicles.

The article proposes a method for selecting the shape and materials of the structural elements of unmanned aerial vehicles, which allows for choosing their required radar signature both at the stage of designing new ones and modernizing existing unmanned aerial vehicles. The method is based on the sequential evaluation of the radar signature of individual structural elements of unmanned aerial vehicles for different shapes and materials of the structural elements and on selecting the structural element whose radar cross-section meets the requirements of the assigned task.

The application of this method involves the use of integral representations obtained with the help of the Lorentz lemma, as well as the Pocklington equation. A block diagram of the algorithm of the developed method is provided.