This paper has described the radar absorbing materials characterization and radar cross section measurements, in the frequency range of 8 to 12 GHz, using a very simple setup. Simple targets like sphere, cylinder, flat plate, and dihedral corner were characterized by measuring the backscattered radiation patterns when these targets were illuminated by monostatic microwave radiation. Measurements were carried out inside an anechoic chamber (9x5x4m3). Typical radar cross section patterns were obtained in different aspect angles, by rotating the targets around their vertical axes. The measured values and the theoretical previsions for each metallic target showed that the used setup guarantees a good precision of the obtained data. By recovering one of the targets, a cylinder, with a specific radar absorbing material developed at Materials Division of the Brazilian Aeronautics and Space Institute, it was possible to compare the obtained patterns and to discuss the influence of radar absorbing materials on the observed radar cross section reduction patterns. The used methodology showed to be useful for attending aeronautical and telecommunication applications.
