The Ku-Band Radar Altimeter (KBRA) is an airborne instrument designed to collect high precision surface elevation measurements over polar ice sheets. This wideband radar altimeter operates in a frequency range of 13 to 17 GHz. KBRA data can be analyzed in conjunction with laser-altimeter data to determine the thickness of snow over sea ice. The radar has been flown aboard a NASA DC-8 aircraft as well as the National Science Foundation (NSF)-provided a Twin Otter aircraft.