What does Sensitivity Time Control (STC) automatically do?

Sensitivity Time Control (STC) is designed to improve radar performance by adjusting the gain of the radar signal based on the range of the target. As radar waves travel through different media, they encounter varying levels of signal attenuation due to distance and environmental factors. STC automatically reduces gain for stronger returns from nearby targets to prevent saturation and ensure that distant or weaker targets can be detected more reliably.

By reducing the gain for strong signals, STC allows the radar to filter out excessive returns that could obscure the detection of less prominent targets. This functionality is crucial for maintaining the ability to distinguish significant returns from noise or interference, thus enhancing situational awareness and target identification. The automatic adjustment of gain based on the time it takes for reflected signals to return thus ensures that the radar maintains optimal performance across a wide range of target distances.

While the other options may relate to radar operation in different contexts, they do not accurately describe the primary function of STC, which focuses on managing gain in relation to target distance.