What does radar cross-section (RCS) measure with regard to an object?

Radar cross-section (RCS) is fundamentally a measure of how detectable an object is by radar. It quantifies the amount of radar signal that is scattered back to the radar receiver when the radar waves hit the object. The larger the RCS value, the more noticeable the object is to radar detection systems. This characteristic is pivotal for understanding how different materials and shapes can affect stealth technology and detectability, especially in military applications and aerospace contexts.

When considering radar application contexts, RCS is influenced by several factors, including the object's size, shape, and surface material, which determines how much radar energy is reflected. Consequently, RCS serves as a critical parameter in assessing an object's visibility to radar systems, providing valuable insights for both designers of radar-evading technologies and operators of radar systems trying to identify and track these objects.