Which type of radar provides range, bearing, and altitude?

Height finding search radar is specifically designed to determine the altitude of targets in addition to providing range and bearing information. This type of radar is particularly important in air traffic control and military applications where knowing the exact height of an aircraft is crucial for maintaining safe airspace and managing flight paths.

The ability to measure altitude along with range and bearing allows operators to create a three-dimensional picture of air traffic, which is essential for avoiding collisions and ensuring the safe operation of aircraft.

Other types of radar, such as search radar, primarily focus on detecting and tracking objects in two dimensions, which may not include altitude information. Tracking radar is mainly used to follow a specific target's movement, while surface search radar is optimized for detecting objects on the ground or water, lacking the capability to measure altitude in the context of aerial targets. This distinguishes height finding search radar as the comprehensive option for obtaining all three parameters: range, bearing, and altitude.