The Measurement of Height and Slope of Isobaric Surfaces with an Airborne Radar Altimeter

摘要

The aeronautical use of electronic altimeters is to measure the absolute clearance of an aircraft above the earth's surface. In support of atmospheric research, accurate high-range altimeters, in conjunction with accurate static pressure and navigation data can also provide a means for measuring the heights of constant-pressure surfaces. From the derivatives of the measurements, surface slopes and dynamical quantities such as the geostrophic wind may be obtained. This paper describes the operational and research use of a high-altitude pulse-type radar altimeter system installed on the NCAR Sabreliner for jet stream research.