3D radar

Applications include weather monitoring, air defense, and surveillance.

The information provided by 3D radar has long been required, particularly for air defence and interception.

Interceptors must be told the altitude to climb to before making an intercept.

Examples include NEXRAD Doppler weather radar (which uses a parabolic dish) and the AN/SPY-1 passive electronically scanned array radar employed by the Ticonderoga class of guided missile cruisers and other ships so equipped with the Aegis Combat System.

By comparing the relative strengths of the returns from each beam, the elevation of the target can be deduced.

Type 984 radar on HMS Victorious , 1961
Diagram of a typical 2D radar rotating cosecant squared antenna pattern.
Diagram of a typical 3D radar, a judicious mix of vertical electronic beam steering and mechanically horizontal movement of a pencil-beam