KuROS: A new airborne Ku-band Doppler radar for observation of the ocean surface

Abstract

We have designed and developed a new airborne Ku-band Doppler radar, called KuROS, to prepare the CFOSAT satellite mission for measuring ocean surface wind and waves. The main characteristics of this new radar are presented, and first results obtained from a campaign held in 2013 illustrated. Both intensity and Doppler information are used to estimate the directional spectra of ocean waves. Radar cross-section and directional spectra are assessed trough comparisons with independent information.