TNT06-4 MIO San Francisco Bay, Atmospheric Effects After Action Report
Abstract
Our goal in this project was to provide field and command personnel with information on target detection capabilities (in this case a boat with suspected nuclear material) to enhance the effectiveness of marine interdiction operations, both in the planning stages and during the actual operation. We addressed both visual detection with the naked eye or binoculars and radar detection. Our focus is on how environmental factors affect the transmission of radiation in the visible and radio bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. By providing the relevant personnel with this information we hope to enhance overall situational awareness and provide an advantage over any potential adversaries who might not consider these atmospheric effects. For this project we made in situ measurements of atmospheric conditions as we have in previous TNT work, but also for the first time we incorporated a large amount of "outside" information to give a better picture of the environmental conditions that affect radar and optical transmission. This information included real time observations and model predictions. Some of the models were developed by the authors and colleagues while others are available to the public on the internet or from commercial or military sources. In general, we were able to verify these models had predictive value, although there is certainly room for improvement. We incorporated a sophisticated target detection software package for the first time, although the results of this were not satisfactory for reasons we need to study further. The measurements were successful with no major problems and we were able to successfully use the TNT network to transmit data and model products among the various participants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA475737
Entities
People
- Kenneth Davidson
- Mary S. Jordan
- Peter Guest
- Richard J. Lind
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School