The transfer of the forward scatter (FS) concept to passive coherent location (FS PCL) systems provides a new emerging area of research. This article is dedicated to the investigation of various aspects of a bistatic passive coherent location (PCL) system operating in the FS mode. For efficient signal processing, appropriate FS PCL system analysis is presented. It is shown that using a relatively small modernisation of traditional signal processing algorithms, a PCL system may effectively operate against stealth and low profile targets crossing or being located in the vicinity of the radar baseline. The FS signals have been analysed in view of finding key effects and parameters influencing the waveforms and spectra which define the overall signal processing. Experimental results are given to validate the presented analysis.

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To develop forward-scatter radar (FSR) systems for use in maritime applications, a fundamental understanding of the operating environment is required. Currently, there is a lack of published experimental FSR sea clutter data at very low (near-zero) grazing angle over the sea. This data is necessary for the development of FSR systems for maritime applications. Therefore to facilitate further investigation, clutter data for such a system has been recorded at frequencies of 7.5 and 24 GHz with static, medium gain antennas for low sea states 1-3 on the Douglas scale. Analysis of forward scatter propagation phenomena is presented, and spectral and statistical analysis of forward-scatter clutter is performed.

In this paper the Doppler phase signature forming in Forward Scatter Radar (FSR) is analyzed to show the rationale for "true" forward scatter radar where a target actually crosses the baseline and the whole Doppler signature is used for target detection, speed and trajectory estimation. Several measured Doppler signatures are compared where the target is in one of diffraction zones with the view to separate between pure shadow radiation and bistatic scattering. Two identical objects, metallic and magnetic absorber covered, are chosen to demonstrate the difference in shadow and bistatic scattering mechanisms.

There is a lack of published experimental forward-scattering radar sea clutter data at very low (almost zero) grazing angle over the sea. This data is necessary to provide a fundamental understanding of the operating environment for the development of forward-scatter radar systems for maritime applications. Experimental data has therefore been recorded at frequencies of 7.5 GHz, 9.3 GHz, 24 GHz, and 37.5GHz using Forward Scatter Radar with static, medium gain antennas for low sea states 1-3. Results of clutter power spectral density measurements are presented and conclusions drawn from the results.