If the sweep width is 0.3 NM, the sector search radius should be which value?

• A. 0.15 NM
• B. 0.3 NM
• C. 0.6 NM
• D. 0.9 NM

Answer: (C)

In sector search planning, ensuring continuous coverage as you sweep is the central idea. The sweep width is the width of area you reliably detect in a single pass. To prevent gaps between adjacent passes and to maintain consistent detection probability across the sector, the radius is set so that successive sweeps overlap. The way to achieve that overlap is to make the radius twice the sweep width. So the sector search radius should be double the sweep width to balance complete coverage with efficient use of range. If you try a radius equal to the sweep width, or smaller, gaps appear; a much larger radius works for coverage but isn’t the standard, efficient choice.