A system for the measurement of an angle of roll of a projectile is
disclosed. The projectile has a casing with a rear end, a front end, and
a side wall extending therebetween. The system includes a radar
configured to transmit a polarized electromagnetic signal toward the
projectile and a groove disposed on the side wall of the casing. The
groove has a width, a depth, and a length, the width extending along a
longitudinal axis of the projectile, the depth extending inwardly from an
outer surface of the casing toward the longitudinal axis, and the length
extending along the outside of the casing. The radar is further
configured to receive a return signal from the projectile, wherein the
return signal from the groove is modulated as a function of the angle of
roll of the projectile. Amplitude or phase modulation of the return
signal from the groove can be used to uniquely determine the roll angle
of the projectile.