抄録
An X-band real aperture side looking airborne radar (SLAR) was developed to study the performance of the SLAR to detect the ocean oil slicks. This system has two features intended to improve the performance of ocean oil slick observation ; a modified cosecant-squared antenna pattern and an antenna steering function. In order to achieve quantitative radar observation, external calibration of the SLAR was performed using corner reflectors and sea surface as a reference target. Ocean oil slick observation experiment was also performed using oleyl alcohol to generate slicks. Through this experiment, high sensitivity of the SLAR to detect the oil slick has been confirmed. It is also demonstrated that the antenna steering capability of the SLAR is useful to optimize the SLAR swath width under variable weather conditions and flight altitude restrictions. SLAR observation parameters suitable for the ocean oil slicks are discussed based upon the experiment results and theoretical findings.
