Development of a laboratory scale instrument for the electromagnetic characterization of radiofrequency chaff

Abstract

Chaff deployment as a countermeasure for airborne or seaborne vessels has evolved to combat current radar systems seeking to detect such vehicles. To this end, the rapid development of novel chaff particles and testing facilities is an essential component to modern defense capabilities. Outdoor atmospheric testing does not provide a convenient avenue for evaluation of experimental particle geometries, giving rise to indoor testing of chaff being the industry standard. This thesis describes a new approach to the construction of indoor testing facilities, where airflow from fans provides suspension for a chaff cloud, better mimicking an atmospherically released cloud. A custom testing process was established to ensure data collection met accuracy standards. The chaff studied in the experiment were divided into two types: fully flooded metal flakes and patterned metal flakes. The patterns developed were designed for the purpose of producing more extinction, and acted as the experimental group in the study. The results of experimentation showed the patterns performed as intended, and triggered much more scattering of the propagating electromagnetic wave. In addition, the results validated the constructed testing facility and process, as well as proved there is room for sufficient growth in chaff particle design, and that novel designs can provide increased extinction of the signal from a radar system.