What is the characteristic feature of tracking radar regarding area coverage?

Tracking radar is designed to search a small volume of space in order to locate a target accurately. This characteristic is essential because tracking radars are primarily focused on maintaining a precise track of individual targets, ensuring that their movements can be monitored continuously. The process involves initially swirling the radar beam within a limited area to detect the presence of the target and then refining the search to ensure accurate tracking.

The nature of tracking radars requires that they concentrate their efforts on specific targets rather than sweeping wide areas like other types of radar systems. This focused approach allows the radar to gather detailed information about the target's speed, direction, and other significant parameters. Once a target is detected, the radar can transition to a tracking mode, maintaining surveillance on that particular object.

In contrast, systems that scan wide volumes or cover multiple targets at once do not have the same level of precision in tracking individual entities. Similarly, operating exclusively at high altitudes pertains to other radar systems and does not define the fundamental characteristics of tracking radar.