What is a primary function of radar technology?

Radar technology is fundamentally designed to operate by emitting radio waves and analyzing the reflected signals to determine the distance, speed, and direction of objects. This process encompasses both detection and ranging, which are crucial for various applications, including air traffic control, weather monitoring, and military operations.

In detection, radar identifies the presence of an object, such as an aircraft or weather formation, by picking up the returned signals. Ranging is the measurement of the distance to that object based on the time it takes for the radio wave to travel to the object and back. The capability to perform both functions makes radar an essential tool in many fields, providing critical information for decision-making, safety, and strategic planning.

In contrast, options like navigation only, communication, and data storage represent functions that do not fully express the primary capabilities of radar technology. Navigation typically relies on systems like GPS and is not solely dependent on radar. Communication involves sending and receiving information between parties, while data storage pertains to saving information for future use, neither of which aligns with the main operational characteristics of radar.