Terrain-following radar

Terrain following radar (English terrain -following radar, TFR ), or terrain-following radar is a technology that enables a low-flying aircraft to automatically maintain a relatively constant altitude above ground.

Technology and use

The system functions by sending a radar signal towards the surface, on the lying area ahead of the aircraft to be flown over. The reflected beams are analyzed to determine the changes of the terrain. This information can then be used by the automatic pilot of the aircraft to automatically maintain a constant height above the ground.

The technology is primarily used by used by the military aircraft to fly at low altitude at high speeds into enemy territory. This is the discovery by enemy radar complicate and allows flights even in low weather conditions and in the dark.

Some aircraft, such as the Tornado, have multiple radars, a system being used exclusively for the bottom subsequent flight. More modern aircraft such as the Rafale can look with its phased- array radar at the same time forward and down.

Even military helicopters can be equipped with terrain following radar. Due to their low speed and good maneuverability they can usually observe a lower height than airplanes.

The terrain following radar is also sometimes used in civil aviation, for example when it is desired for the creation of aerial photographs to maintain a constant height above the ground.

Aircraft with terrain following radar

  • A7A/B/C/D/E
  • F- CK- 1C / D Hsiang Sheng
  • B-1B
  • B-2
  • F-15E
  • F- 16E / F
  • F/A-18C/D
  • F -105
  • F-111
  • Dassault Mirage F1
  • Rafale
  • RF -4C
  • Panavia Tornado
  • Tupolev Tu -160
  • Sukhoi Su -22
Autopilot Phased array LTV A-7 Corsair II AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Rockwell B-1 Lancer Sukhoi Su-22
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