Thermal Modeling of Terrain Surface Elements
Abstract
Historically, surveillance and target acquisition devices have operated in the visible portion of the spectrum where the eye was the dominant sensor. The eye is still a critical component in a surveillance or target acquisition system; however, the eye may now be aided by an infrared (IR) detection and image display capability. Also, weapons systems have IR seekers, sensor devices that allow the weapon to detect and lock on to a target that has a thermal signature significantly different from its surround. The thrust in the United States to further develop IR target acquisition and surveillance capabilities and the thrust in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) community to camouflage or conceal critical elements at fixed installations from such devices have focused attention on the need to better understand the character of the thermal IR signatures of not only targets but also their surrounds. To date, considerably more effort has been focused on targets than or surrounds. The Terrain Surface Temperature Model (TSTM) presented herein, was developed to help fill the void in the understanding of thermal IR signatures of natural terrain surfaces and of some cultural features. The model estimates temperatures of actual or hypothetical material systems and for actual or hypothetical weather conditions. The model handles sensible heat transfer, latent heat transfer, the impact of cloud type and cover, and seasonal/ geothermal heat fluxes. The material system can be handled as a multilayered medium with discrete physical and thermal properties assigned to each layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA098019
Entities
People
- James L. Soloman
- Lee K. Balick
- Lewis E. Link Jr.
- Randy K. Scoggins