JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

6. Sweep widths for Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR), based on
tests of the AN/APS-94D SLAR systems, are given in Table 5-12.
a. Sweep widths are based on altitudes of 2,500 to 4,000
feet for targets under 40 feet long, and 8,000 feet for
targets over 40 feet long, with range scales no greater than
27 NM.
b. SLAR is usually capable of searching large areas to
either side of the aircraft and includes a film or video
record of the search for extended analysis.
c. Search legs should be aligned upwind and downwind so
that the radar signal is aimed crosswind at all times. This
tactic allows the largest possible area to be searched without
contending with heavy upwind sea clutter.
d. When time and resources are sufficient to conduct
multiple searches of an area, search tracks for the second
search should be offset from the first search to compensate
for the blind zone adjacent to aircraft ground track. The
commence search point (CSP) for the second search is offset a
distance equal to the blind zone width.
5-24