Slant Path Extinction in a Stratified Atmosphere,

Abstract

This report describes the detection of a destroyer target by a standard helicopter FLIR during operational exercises in the Arabian Gulf: The observations show the detection range to be dependent on approach altitude, first increasing, then decreasing as altitude increases. This results suggests that the tactical user may have an optimal altitude for maximum detection range during FLIR operations. The altitude is potentially dependent on the characteristics of the target, the sensor, and the intervening atmosphere. We have developed a closed form model of detection range in a stratified atmosphere. This model is used to describe the sensitivity of FLIR extinction to stratification and extinction characteristics of the atmosphere.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA323991

Entities

People

  • Andreas K. Goroch

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Depression Angles
  • Destroyers
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Extinction
  • Helicopters
  • Layers
  • Marine Meteorology
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Observation
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Sensitivity
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Temperature

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.