Thermal Oscar Design Test Report and Prototype
Abstract
The purpose of this Coast Guard R&D Center initiative was to design a target for use in at-sea sensor testing that has the infrared (IR) characteristics of a person in the water (PIW). The target was also designed to be inexpensive and easy enough to fabricate that the parts could be purchased and assembled by a CG unit for IR sensor training, and rugged enough to sustain repeated open-ocean testing. Multiple prototypes were tested and evaluated with respect to temperature replication (as measured by hand-held and ship borne IR cameras, and comparing with human PIWs), operational life (again measured via the sensor), target replication (size, shape and perspective as measured by comparison with pictures of human PIWs), cost (Objective cost $1000) and durability. These characteristics were assessed during deployment, operation, retrieval and transport. A prototype was tested that provides a reliable four-hour thermal target which approximates the IR signature of a PIW and is durable enough for at-sea testing, at an affordable cost. The product will be used to facilitate future RDC IR sensor T&E efforts and could conceivably be used by operational CG units to fabricate Thermal Oscars for IR sensor training purposes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA538811
Entities
People
- Donald Decker
- Gary Hover
Organizations
- United States Coast Guard Research & Development Center