Evaluation of Night Vision Goggles for Maritime Search and Rescue
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to evaluate night vision goggles (NVGs) for their effectiveness in detecting small targets at night. Three types of NVGs were evaluated: the AN/AVS-6 Aviators Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) NVG was tested onboard Coast Guard HH-3 and CH-3 helicopters, and the AN/PVS-5C and AN/PVS-7A NVGs were tested onboard 41-foot Coast Guard utility boats. During the spring 1990 experiments, simulated persons in the water wearing orange personal floatation devices, retroreflective tape, and either a green personnel marker light or a red safety light; 4- and 6-person life rafts with and without retroreflective tape; and 18- and 21-foot white boats were employed as targets during realistically-simulated search missions. A total of 1355 target detection opportunities were generated for the above-mentioned target types during four experiments. These data were analyzed to determine which of 25 search parameters of interest exerted a statistically-significant influence on target detection probability. Lateral range curves and sweep width estimates are developed for each search unit/target type combination. Human factors data are presented and discussed. Recommendations for conducting NVG searches for small targets are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA233798
Entities
People
- G. L. Hover
- J. V. Plourde
- R. Q. Robe
- W. H. Reynolds