Abstract: | Sonar and radar signals are scattered by small-scale roughness elements of the sea surface. The characteristics of the roughness depend on wind, sea state, and other parameters. The dynamic behavior of this roughness is related to radar backscatter. This provides a basis for oceanographic radar remote sensing and links radar backscatter to sea surface sonar conditions. Radar, sonar, and roughness experiments have been conducted at the research platform NORDSEE. The results are combined and provide a method to estimate shallow water sonar conditions from the radar backscatter cross section |