Preliminary Sweep Width Determination for HU-25A Airborne Radars: Life Raft and Recreational Boat Targets
Abstract
During June 1987, the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center conducted a 3-week experiment to determine sweep widths for airborne radar search by Coast Guard HU-25A aircraft. Search objects were 6- to 10- person life rafts and 24- to 43-foot recreational-type boats. Two radar systems were evaluated: the AN/APS-127 forward-looking airborne radar (FLAR) and the AN/APS-131 side-looking airborne radar (SLAR). Realistic radar searches were conducted to collect data using unalerted sensor operators and standard search patterns. Aircraft and target positions were recorded by a precision microwave tracking system. Target detections and environmental conditions were recorded by observes onboard the search aircraft and a target vessel. Sea conditions were dominated by waves less than 3 feet and winds less than 12 knots, with a limited amount of data collected in 3- to 5-foot seas with winds up to 18 knots. Analysis of the data confirmed that sweep widths varied with significant wave height, search altitude, and target size. Recommended sweep width values and HU-25A search guidance are presented, along with recommendations for additional data collection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA201616
Entities
People
- G. L. Hover
- H. S. Searle
- M. J. Lewandowski
- R. Q. Robe