The diversity of radar systems in use today, viewed either from the point of operational function or from the point of equipment design, makes it unrealistic even to attempt an overview of modern radar methodology. If one wishes to explore the breadth of modern radar technology, a study of a text such as Skolnik's 'Radar Handbook' is helpful.

This chapter presents the development of radar systems in various countries in Europe, the USA, Russia and Japan.

One could say that the cavity magnetron evolved from the inventiveness of John Randall and Henry Boot, and became a working reality through the resources and experience of the GEC Laboratories at Wembley, assisted by critical information supplied by the SFR Laboratories of Paris. It could also be said that the emergence of the cavity magnetron in 1940 as an efficient generator of microwaves allowed, from that time onwards, an unrestricted growth in microwave radar technology to take place.

This appendix presents the reciprocity principle of radar systems.

This appendix presents super-regenerative receivers and super-regenerative detectors.

The proposals for detection and location of aircraft by radio led to the following of metal-framed aircraft to distances of 92 km, to their detection at distances over 60 km. In all cases where detection was possible, the distance of the craft from the observing station could be measured with an accuracy of the order of 1 km. The tests were mainly made in craft flying above 10,000 feet. The craft observed included land craft and marine aircraft.

This appendix contains two maps that show, respectively: (1) the proposed acoustical mirror system in the Thames Estuary (work on the construction of the system was suspended in September 1935); and (2) the Chain Home stations operating at the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.

This appendix presents a table of Japanese Naval radars, as supplied by Shiryo Chosakai (Institute of Historical Research), Tokyo, which was prepared at the end of the Second World War.

The appendix discusses the following: scattering matrix; radar range equation; electromagnetic reflection coefficient of ground; multipath effects; and pulses and their spectra.