What is this pattern on this runway? What is its function?
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2$\begingroup$ To be honest, this device shown here is aviation-related (They use it to check the RCS of aircraft/aircraft parts), it is just not a runway. $\endgroup$ – SMS von der Tann Sep 30 '16 at 22:47
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It is not a runway that you see there. It is the US Navy's Radar Cross Section Range at Junction Ranch. From what I know, that is the platform on which they put the object which they want to see the Radar Cross Section of on. There is a radar at the other end of the "runway".
This is what it looks like:
answered Sep 30 '16 at 22:13
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$\begingroup$ NB: They do the same with ships. They circle in front of a coastal installation. $\endgroup$ – Steve Oct 1 '16 at 2:03
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$\begingroup$ Interesting answer, but it doesn't seem to answer the question of
What is this pattern. No downvote here, just saying. $\endgroup$ – J Walters Oct 1 '16 at 2:07 -
1$\begingroup$ Looking at the pattern, it appears to be markings on the surface of a turntable and the surrounding structure. The turntable is rotated maybe 55° clockwise from the surrounding structure. The three red lines are probably used to center the landing gear and orient the aircraft on the turntable. $\endgroup$ – J Walters Oct 1 '16 at 2:13
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2$\begingroup$ @JonathanWalters The second sentence in the answer says, "It is the platform..." which does say what it is. $\endgroup$ – SMS von der Tann Oct 1 '16 at 10:42
