A New Coherent Radar For Ice Sounding In Greenland

This paper will discuss a new multifrequency dual channel coherent radar depth sounder for sounding ice. This sounder is unique, since it is a fully coherent chirp radar designed to operate at low (1,500ft) as well as high altitudes (30,000ft). The dynamic range of the radar is sufficient for simultaneously imaging both the top and bottom returns from ice without the need for data blanking or Sensitivity Time Control (STC) equalization of the return signal. The first deployment of this radar on board a P-3 aircraft took place in May of 1999 over Greenland with successful results.