Sea Surface Scattering Strength: Theory Versus Experiments and Chapman-Harris Formula

A quantitative comparison with many published experiments shows that, in monostatic geometry, the sea- surface scattering theory is a good enough predictor of surface scattering strength in most conditions of wind speed, frequency and angles; it appears to be only slightly better than the classical empirical Chapman-Harris formula, but also almost as simple in the present approximations. Despite some uncertainty remain at very low angles and frequencies, theory could now replace the empirical formula.