Tracking radar uses electromagnetic energy to locate and follow a specific target, such as aircraft or storm systems. It can be used for military purposes, monitoring air traffic, and weather forecasting. Modern tracking radar includes computer programs to reduce manual operations and operator error. Interference can come from materials resistant to detection, severe weather, and limited radar strength.
A tracking radar is a radar device with the ability to track a particular target. These radars are used for a wide variety of purposes, from bird surveys to intelligence gathering, and the technology behind them can be highly sophisticated. Radar manufacturers typically offer a range of products with tracking capabilities and it is also possible to design products for specific purposes in case generic radar devices are not suitable for a task.
Radar in general works by emitting electromagnetic energy and tuning for reflections. When energy encounters objects, it bounces off them, and the radar receiver can gather information about the materials the objects are made of, their size, orientation, and speed. Initially developed for military purposes, radar has since been adapted for civilian use.
With tracking radar, a target of interest is identified and the radar locks on to that target, tracking it in a given area. Multiple radar devices may be involved to follow the path of the object if it is moving rapidly or over a substantial distance. Tracking radar can be used to track storm systems, aircraft, birds, and many other moving objects. A radar display returns regular updates from the device to give people access to important information about the objects they are tracking.
In the military, tracking radar can be used to locate and track enemy aircraft, ships, and devices such as missiles. In search mode, the radar can locate items of interest and, once locked, can be used as a tracking radar. For civilians, radar can be used to monitor air traffic around airports and in other security settings. Tracking radar is especially valuable to meteorologists as it allows them to make weather forecasts while studying weather systems to learn more about how they move.
Historically, radar operators had to manually plot. Modern tracking radar usually includes a computer program that can be used to program and maintain a lock on a target. These programs reduce the need for manual operations and limit operator error during monitoring. Things that can interfere with tracking radar include the use of materials that are resistant to detection, severe weather conditions, and limited strength by the radar device. Some systems are specifically designed with the goal of operating in adverse conditions and are able to do things like filter out white noise to focus on objects that would otherwise be indiscernible, such as ships in a storm.
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