The Kirchhoff approximation (KA) is used to model backscatter of sound from a partially exposed, rigid sphere at a flat free interface of two homogenous media. Scattered wavefields are calculated through numerical integration on the sphere of the Kirchhoff integral, requiring detailed knowledge of the illuminated region for each scattering path. This approach avoids amplitude discontinuities resulting from geometric transitions in the number of reflected rays. Reflections from the interface are modeled through use of an image source, positioned symmetrically relative to the real source. Results are compared to experimentally obtained backscattering records from elastic spheres at an air–water interface, as well as to an exact partial wave series for a half exposed sphere. These comparisons highlight the omission of Franz-type reflections from consideration within the KA, and the consequences of this omission are discussed. The results can be extended to boundary conditions beyond the ideal free surface limit, and are applicable to the problem of scattering by underwater objects partially buried in sand.
