Considerations of Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Optics.
Abstract
In tactical air-to-ground strike operations, particularly at night, the passive FLIR systems provide vital sensory aids. Even if the targets of interest are small, the sensors must offer the resolutions needed both for target detection and target recognition. But there are somewhat basic limits to system performance as established, for example, by the intervening atmospheric path, the maximum practicable aperture of the FLIR optics and the minimum practicable size of the detectors. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of these factors on overall system performance, and then to examine how close we can now approach this 'best possible' or ideal performance. It was assumed at the outset that the sensor system was optically limited - no degradation was suffered by incapabilities of the electronics, the display, nor the observer. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0892209
Entities
People
- Robert S. Neiswander