The Effect of Size and Number (Density) of Minor Optical Occlusions on Target Detection Performance.
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the effect of size and number (density per unit area) of minor optical defects contained in an aircraft transparency on aircrew visual performance. Eight subjects performed a target detection task while looking through 13 simulated windscreen test panels. These panels contained defects of size 0.032, 0.043 or 0.35 inches in diameter that varied in number from 11, 22, 33 or 44 per panel. The targets to be detected simulated an aircraft with a frontal plane of 40 feet located at a range of 24,500 feet (0.5 minutes of arc) or 49,000 feet (1.0 minute of arc) being viewed under fairly clear atmospheric conditions (80% contrast) or poor atmospheric conditions (10% contrast). Subject performance was measured in terms of time to detection and percent correct detection. The results obtained indicated that target size and target contrast significantly affected performance, however, the number and size of defects on the windscreen had no effect on performance. Based on this latter finding, it is concluded that current standards and specifications concerning the number and size of minor optical defects permitted on aircraft transparencies may be safely relaxed without adversely affecting aircrew visual performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA122546
Entities
People
- Louis V. Genco
- William N. Kama
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory