In radar plotting, what is the purpose of cross-checking with other sensors when determining if a contact is real?

• A. To ignore potential targets.
• B. To cross-check with other sensors to confirm a real contact and rule out ghosts.
• C. To increase display refresh rate.
• D. To adjust range scale.

Answer: (B)

Cross-checking with other sensors helps distinguish real radar contacts from ghosts by providing independent evidence of a target. Radar alone can produce false returns from clutter, multipath reflections, or sidelobes, which can look like a real object. By comparing data from a secondary sensor—another radar, optical/IR, AIS, IFF, or other onboard systems—you check for corroborating information such as matching range, bearing, and plausible motion. If the other sensor confirms the target within expected tolerances, you treat it as real and keep tracking. If it doesn’t, you treat it as a likely ghost and don’t rely on it for plotting. The other options don’t address verification of existence; they affect display, processing, or scale rather than confirming a real contact.