Development of the Smart Weapons Operability Enhancement Interim Thermal Model
Abstract
The Balanced Technology Initiative (BTI) on Smart Weapons Operability Enhancement (SWOE) has as a goal to model the radiant field from complex natural backgrounds. In order to achieve this goal, one must be able to model the thermal structure of the natural background. The physical processes controlling this thermal structure and three-dimensional in nature so a full three dimensional treatment of the physics is necessary in order to properly describe the radiant field. The development of a three dimensional thermal model of the natural background is a significant undertaking. As a first step in the development, an Interim Thermal Model (ITM) was developed to model the environmental conditions for a variety of land surfaces and weather conditions. The ITM calculates the thermal balance for land surfaces, with and without vegetation, winter surfaces, and bodies of water. In addition, a standalone 3-D model of the thermal balance for individual trees is also available as a component of the ITM. A first generation User Interface System (UIS) has also been developed for use with the ITM. Developed to operate on SUN computers, the UIS allows the user to study in detail the thermal balance for a single set of land and environmental conditions or to set up and perform calculations for a series of land surface types. A simpler version of the User Interface System is also available for users that do not have a SUN computer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 11, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA238995
Entities
People
- D. R. Longtin
- J. R. Hummel
- J. R. Jones
- N. L. Paul