How does the Earth’s curvature affect radar detection for the Patriot system?

The Earth's curvature plays a significant role in radar detection, particularly for systems like the Patriot. As radar waves travel outward from a source, they follow a straight line. However, due to the curvature of the Earth, low-flying targets that are relatively close to the ground may fall below the radar's line of sight. This phenomenon reduces the radar's effective detection range for these targets, making it more challenging to detect them, as they may be obscured by the Earth's surface. As such, understanding the impact of curvature is crucial for the proper deployment and effectiveness of radar systems in tracking and engaging low-altitude threats.