Increasing the Combat Effectiveness of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle: New and Modified Thermal Training Procedures and Products

Abstract

This report describes exploratory research on the effects of camouflage, cover, and concealment on detection and classification of thermal targets. It is extremely difficult to conceal the thermal signature of a vehicle in a surveillance position. The use of cut foliage and defilade positioning, however, were found to make classification and detection equally difficult. Researchers developed and field tested a set of thermal training guidelines that address sight control manipulation, scanning, target acquisition, and range estimation. These procedures, along with a slide presentation, form a thermal training package that is under review. Observation of gunners showed that some of the thermal sight controls rotated freely that it was easy to inadvertently displace them. Experimentation showed that placing vinyl grommets between these knobs and the panel provided sufficient friction and solved this problem. Keywords: Scanning techniques; Thermal camouflage; Thermal detection; Thermal training; Thermal sight; Bradley fighting vehicle (BFV); Integrated sight unit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA212456

Entities

People

  • David F. Champion
  • Donald P. Frederick
  • Paul R. Roberson
  • Robert L. Rollier
  • Stephen D. Knapp

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Cameras
  • Combat Effectiveness
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Doctrine
  • Experimental Design
  • Identification
  • Job Training
  • Military Research
  • Photographs
  • Photography
  • Regression Analysis
  • Social Sciences
  • Target Classification
  • Target Detection
  • Training Devices

Readers

  • Computer Vision.
  • Theoretical Analysis.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.