Radar vs. Sonar

Radarnoun

(uncountable) A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of sent radio waves (usually microwaves) reflected from their surfaces

Radarnoun

(countable) A type of system using such method, differentiated by platform, configuration, frequency, power, and other technical attributes.

Radarnoun

(countable) An installation of such a system or of the transmitting and receiving apparatus.

Radarnoun

A superior ability to detect something.

Radarverb

To scan with radar, or as if with radar.

Radarnoun

measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects

Radar

Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (range), angle, or velocity of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain.

Sonarnoun

(nautical) echolocation

Sonarnoun

(nautical) A device that uses hydrophones (in the same manner as radar) to locate objects underwater.

Sonarnoun

a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return; sonar is an acronym for sound navigation ranging; asdic is an acronym for anti-submarine detection investigation committee

Sonar

Sonar (sound navigation and ranging) is a technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels. Two types of technology share the name : passive sonar is essentially listening for the sound made by vessels; active sonar is emitting pulses of sounds and listening for echoes.