FINITE-DIFFERENCE MAXWELL SOLVER TO STUDY GEOMETRIC SHAPE EFFECTS ON RADAR SIGNATURE

The development and application of a finite difference time-domain sol ver for Maxwell's equations are presented. The work described here is the result of a research effort aimed at developing an accurate and ef ficient numerical method capable of simulating electromagnetic scatter ing from three-dimensional arbitrarily shaped objects to predict their radar cross sections (RCS). The finite difference formulation is pres ented and the accuracy of the Maxwell solver is demonstrated for sever al test eases. The capability of the Maxwell solver as a design and an alysis tool is illustrated through a parametric study that examines th e effects of systematic changes in the shape of aircraft wings on thei r RCS, The results indicate that for head-on radar illumination, a sig nificant reduction in the RCS of a wing can be achieved by sweeping it s leading edge and varying its spanwise thickness.