CAST is a software tool for Radar Cross Section (RCS) simulation and analysis. It is capable of calculating monostatic and bistatic RCS, amplitude, phase and distance figures for complex 3D objects over a user-specified frequency and angle range. CAST gives an estimation of how strong radar signature the target has in different directions at different frequencies.

Long-term experience

CAST has been actively developed at VTT since 1999 in co-operation with the Naval Research Centre of the Finnish Defence Forces. The work comprehends both theoretical development and implementation and it has been described in several publications.

Application areas

CAST is designed to be used in the design process of various military vessels to analyze and improve their stealth capabilities. CAST can estimate the radar cross section (RCS) of a vessel during the planning process. CAST has also been successfully used for analyzing various radar reflectors in order to develop optimal radar reflectors for aids to navigation and thus to improve maritime safety. Furthermore, CAST can provide data for SAR simulation.

Approach

The calculation method is developed at VTT. It uses Antenna Theory applied to Physical Optics (APO) in combination with the Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD) to predict the Radar Cross Section. The method takes into account multiple reflections and material properties. For modelling small details, a Method of Moments (MoM) developed at Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) is used.

Validated against analytical calculations

The accuracy of calculation results has been verified analytically against simple test objects (cube, sphere, corner reflector, etc.). The validation has been performed by comparing results as a function of incident angle, frequency and both. The results are consistent with the analytical ones.

Validated against other RCS tools

CAST has also been compared to CST MicroWave Studio and RadBase. Validation results indicate that the results given by CAST are well in line with the other tools. As for now, CAST results have not been compared against real measurements. A chance for performing this kind of validation is expected in the near future.

Platform

CAST has a graphical user interface (GUI) and the current version (3.3.0) runs on Windows XP. A widely-used platform makes it possible to run calculations on common office PCs.