All radars are fairly powerful devices. All RF energy falls off at the square of the distance. Which means required TX power in non- linear (why log db scales are frequently used).
To be useful in aviation, especially in faster aircraft, it must be able to put enough power into a wave which can travel 40-500 miles, round trip. This includes though atmospheric conditions such attenuate and disperse the signal, which prevents a reflected return.
Like comparing a shotgun with a nerfed gun.
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