Statistical Analyses of POFACETS Simulated RCS Data From an F-35 Aircraft Model

This paper analyzes simulated radar cross section (RCS) of the POFACETS F-35 aircraft model versus azimuth and elevation aspect angle. In particular, the RCS values are obtained for all azimuths and for two elevation regimes referred to as long-range (LR), and medium range (MR). Moreover, the tests are conducted considering three different frequencies of the transmitted wave, viz. 0.3 GHz (VHF), 1 GHz (L), and 10 GHz (X). The RCS data for the F-35 aircraft are derived through a realistic model implemented in the Mathworks Matlab simulation toolbox POFACETS, developed at the Naval Postgraduate School of the USN. Therefore, a statistical analysis of the simulated RCSs is performed to establish among which is the best theoretical model representing these data. In this respect, the moment matching technique is applied in order to select the parameters for the theoretical distribution. Then, the best fit statistical distribution is selected as the one minimizing the Cramèr-von Mises (CVM) distance from the empirical one. Finally, the spatial autocorrelation function is also derived to evaluate the degree of spatial decorrelation under each elevation regime and operative frequency.