ground clutter

ground clutter

[′grau̇nd ‚kləd·ər] (electromagnetism) Clutter on a ground or airborne radar due to reflection of signals from the ground or objects on the ground. Also known as ground flutter; ground return; land return; terrain echoes.

ground clutter

An unwanted pattern produced on a radarscope caused by returns from the ground. This can degrade radar in that particular area where clutter is present. The effect of ground clutter can be minimized by use of MTI, or moving target indicator, circuits in the radar equipment, resulting in a radar presentation that displays only targets that are in motion. Echoes from the sea are called sea clutter or sea return.