radar cross section

The radar cross section (RCS) is a measure of how detectable an object is by radar, expressed in units of area (square meters). It's not always directly related to an object's physical size. For instance, a flat plate can have a much larger RCS than a cone-sphere, even if their projected areas are the same.1

Factors influencing RCS include the object's shape, size, surface, and composition. Commercial aircraft typically have RCS values between 10 and 100 square meters, though this can vary significantly with viewing angle. Stealth technology aims to reduce an object's RCS by using radar-absorbent materials and specific shapes to minimize reflections. Radar systems use directive antennas to send out beams of energy and measure the reflected signals to determine a target's location and track its movement.213