The classical approach to objective evaluation of radar performance utilizes appropriate forms of radar range equation to compute the radar range versus different detection probabilities for a given falsealarm probability. This approach implies full prior knowledge of radar system parameters, losses, and signal processing as well as accurate specification of the environment, whether it is a clear or an ECM one. The classical approach involves heavy computations and analysis and the evaluation is environment dependent. The present paper generalizes an approach started by Nengjing in 1985 for deriving formulas for calculation of radar anti-clutter, anti-jamming, and generalized ECCM capabilities. This new approach avoids most of the problems encountered by the classical one and facilitates comparison of radars with different structures but are candidates for same application. The present paper provides more comprehensive objective evaluation of the potential radar performance with better precision of the expressions for the quality levels. A procedure for assigning technical weights to radars in competition is suggested. Examples are given to show the potential of the proposed global approach.
I-IntroductionDuring the last 25 years, radar systems have been subjected to continuous improvement of the technologies applied in their production and to continuous upgrading of their functions and capabilities. Therefore, radar system evaluation has become extremely important to radar designer, radar manufacturer, radar procurer, and radar-threat evaluator. Like any system evaluation, radar system evaluation comprises technical performance evaluation and reliability evaluation. The latter is function of the technologies applied, the radar system configuration, and the measures adopted for total quality management TQM. During the design phase reliability evaluation is an estimate based on a reliability model devised by a radar system analyst. Exact reliability evaluation implies recording the radar system failures over very large number of operating hours. Although reliability evaluation is very important to radar system procurer, it is of no concern to radar-threat evaluator.There are two types of technical performance evaluation: objective evaluation and subjective evaluation. The latter is based on testing the radar system performance in clear and ECM environments. It is usually carried out by the radar system procurer and by the manufacturer for radar proto-types only. Although most radar system procurers prefer subjective evaluation to objective evaluation, the former has some shortcomings. It is always scenario (test procedure) dependent. In order to derive reliable conclusions, it is necessary to run many scenarios (tests) whose costs arc often unaffordable by the procurer or the manufacturer. Moreover. subjective evaluation is inappropriate for both radar designer and radar-threat evaluator. On the other hand, objective evaluation is always based on calculating or measuring several performance indices. It