A detection method for a given mission comprises: a phase of analyzing the environment, wherein phase elements of influence on the sea clutter perceived by the radar are sought and stored in memory; a phase of updating the path to be followed by the carrier depending on the requirements of the mission and the elements of influence issued from the result of the analyzing phase, the path to be followed decreasing the power of the clutter received by the radar when the antenna is pointing towards a search zone liable to contain a target; the phases being repeated throughout the mission.