Maryland_Adams_Radar_Geographic_Area_of_Concern

Radars locate an object’s position by emitting electromagnetic waves that reflect off objects, such as planes, birds, and mountains, and are returned to the radar. The electromagnetic waves that are returned to the radar provide the information needed to calculate an estimated size, location, speed, and direction of an object.

The radar viewshed, or field of view, is the area that is within range of a radar’s electromagnetic waves. The range of the viewshed is influenced by multiple factors, including the radar’s look angle, terrain, weather, as well as natural and manmade objects. Natural and man-made structures within a radar’s field of view can limit the range of the viewshed by blocking electromagnetic waves, which impacts the integrity and usefulness of a radar in identifying and locating aircraft, watercraft, weather, or other objects such as missiles.