Naval LPI radars: ways to detect their operation

Object and purpose of research. This paper presents analytical estimates for emission characteristics of foreign low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) radars. It also gives a quantitative assessment to the possibility of detecting the operation of these radars by standard naval EW tools. Subject matter and methods. This paper reviews the publications of leading foreign experts in order to analyse performance parameters of existing foreign LPI radars and ESM tools. Emission characteristics of these “stealthy” radars in marine conditions were calculated by means of the four-beam model of electromagnetic wave scattering over an underlying surface developed by Krylov State Research Centre researchers. Main results. The study yielded a quantitative estimate for the possibility to detect the emission of radar homing head for RBS-15 anti-ship missile by standard naval tools of radioelectronic surveillance. Conclusion. The study has shown that ESM tools currently available with foreign navies cannot reliably detect the operation of LPI radars.