What does air search radar detect?

Air search radar is specifically designed to detect and track airborne objects, including aircraft. It provides critical information about their position, course, and speed, making it essential for air traffic control and military operations. This type of radar operates by sending out radio waves and measuring the time it takes for the waves to reflect off a target, allowing it to determine the location and movement of the target in three-dimensional space.

Given that air search radar focuses on objects in the air, other options relate to different radar functionalities. For example, surface vessels would typically be tracked by maritime radar systems, altitude measurement generally pertains to altitude radar, and weather radar focuses on precipitation and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the answer that specifies the position, course, and speed of air targets accurately describes the primary function of air search radar.