EM PROPAGATION IN IONIZED MEDIA - STATE OF THE ART ASSESSMENT

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ARE (1) TO ASSESS THE PRESENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE OF EM PROPAGATION IN IONIZED MEDIA AS IT PERTAINS TO THE NEEDS OF THE ARMY FOR REAL-TIME, RELIABLE, CONTINUOUS AND SURVIVABLE COMMUNICATIONS AND (2) TO IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND THE TECHNICAL AREAS OF IONOSPHERIC PROPAGATION THAT REQUIRE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE ARMY'S PRESENT AND FUTURE COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS. THE STUDY INCLUDES NOT ONLY AN EVALUATION OF PROPAGATION PHENOMENA FOR RADIO WAVES AND MICROWAVES PER SE, BUT ALSO ANALYSES OF PROPAGATION-INDUCED SYSTEM DEGRADATIONS, ALL FOR THE AMRY'S COMMUNICATIONS OBJECTIVES UNDER THE ARMY 21 CONCEPT.