Assessment of Glint Hazard to Soldiers.

Abstract

The future dismounted soldier operating in a battlefield environment could be at increased risk of revelation due to the fact that he will be carrying more optical equipment thereby increasing the number of reflecting surfaces exposed to enemy surveillance. The risk level can directly relate to the extent of the visual domain size (observer space of reflecting source) that is dependent on solar environmental conditions, reflectivity optics, surveillance source(s), and counter-surveillance sources. Soldier location significance to the enemy directly influences the level of soldier risk of revelation to the enemy. Given that the risk of revelation and subsequent consequences to the soldier will be increasing over the near to mid-term, the reduction of signature size and resolution is paramount. This need is being met by installing anti-reflection devices and applying anti-reflection coatings to all optical surfaces of equipment in question without seriously reducing functionality. In addition, overall signature reduction technologies are being developed and applied to reduce the soldier signature in general. The development and application of evolving counter-surveillance technologies to reduce dismounted soldier optical and overall signature are directly influenced by the enemy's use of evolving surveillance technologies. In all probability, the dismounted soldier location-detection and signature definition resulting from glint reflection will insignificantly affect overall soldier survivability in the battlefield. However, the ability to minimize the glint hazard is a step in the right direction to help reduce the overall soldier signature and thus reduce the probability of detection.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA357600

Entities

People

  • William J. Chevalier

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Electromagnetic Metamaterials
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Laser Radar
  • Optical Equipment
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Optical Properties
  • Optical Signatures
  • Optics
  • Reflection
  • Reflectivity
  • Refractive Index
  • Signature Reduction
  • Situational Awareness
  • Three Dimensional
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space