Abstract: A portable test system is arranged to enable testing of an aircraft-mounted radar system. Simulated radar returns are transmitted via a test antenna positioned a short distance from an aircraft parked on an airport surface. The varying amplitude of received radar pulses is analyzed as the test antenna is illuminated by the main beam and side lobes of the radar antenna pattern as the radar beam is scanned. By controlling the amplitude of the simulated radar returns in inverse relation to the amplitude of received radar pulses, simulated radar returns inserted off beam center line are interpreted by the radar system as received on the beam center line. Test system transmissions, which may incorporate windshear effect test data, are thus enabled to create simulated effects usable for testing radar system response to a variety of airborne conditions, such as windshear. Test methods are also described.

Abstract: The necessity for returning a repaired nose-mount type aircraft radar radome to a radar test range for recertification is avoided. Data representative of signal transmission characteristics of a repaired area of the radome wall is derived by use of transmission and reflection coefficient determination techniques. A small antenna radiates a test signal through the radome wall and the test signal is then reflected back to the same antenna now operating in a receiving mode. Reflected test signal data is gathered as the spacing of the reflector from the radome wall is successively changed and such data is used to derive signal transmission characteristics. Data representative of such transmission characteristics for a repaired area and a reference area can then be compared in order to detect the presence of out of specification conditions in the repaired area. In other applications, pre-recorded reference data can be used to accomplish certification testing of radomes as part of the manufacturing process.