Flight Tests of a Ground Speed Indicator
Abstract
Flight tests of an X-band CW radar system, Model AN/PPS-1,were made on board a blimp in order to investigate the performance characteristics of an equipment of this type in obtaining ground speed indications. Flights were made at altitudes from 500 to 3,000 feet on courses both with and against the wind, and the effect of varying the angle of transmission with respect to the earth was investigated. It was found possible to obtain useful speed indications at altitudes up to about 1,000 feet. At higher altitudes the quality of the speed-indicating signal becomes progressively poorer. An increase in transmitter power to 30 watts should make it possible to obtain reliable signals up to 30,000 feet. The data suggests that the water wave velocity will introduce an error in the indicated ground speed. However, a subsequent investigation of this effect has shown that this error will be small.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 05, 1945
- Accession Number
- AD1191829
Entities
People
- C. L. Estes
- J. E. Gibson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory