Passive Infrared Signature Augmentation of Full-Scale Plastic Targets
Abstract
The Targets Management Office (TMO) manages the development, acquisition, and operation of both aerial and ground. target systems for use in destructive and non-destructive testing by the U.S. Army T&E community. A need has been identified for low-cost, full-scale validated targets that can accurately simulate the visual, infrared (IR), and radar signatures of threat systems. To address this need, a program was initiated by TMO to augment an existing full-scale, vacuum-formed plastic target with sufficient signature fidelity to adequately stress U.S. Weapon System sensors. This paper discusses the portion of the program dealing with the development of a passive IR system to meet signature needs. The concept presented in this paper will detail a cost effective design solution that augments tile plastic targets with passive thermal properties that emulate actual vehicle armor throughout the diurnal cycle. The chosen solution for passive IR signature emulation was the addition of water jackets to these plastic targets to replicate the thermal mass of actual armor. This technology not only is an affordable approach to improving the passive signature of the existing plastic target, but also is easily supportable on a test site. The water jacket concept has previously been proven in the BMP-3 Surrogate program. In this program, the amount of water necessary to imitate the thermal mass of the actual target was calculated. Trade studies were then conducted between signature fidelity and structural integrity to arrive at a solution that would provide sufficient IR signature while still allowing for the plastic target to support the additional weight of the water. The combined weight of the plastic shell and water jackets is significantly less than that of the actual target, but the plastic target has an effectively equivalent thermal mass of a heavily armored vehicle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADP023090
Entities
People
- Jeffrey S. Sanders
- Lisa M. Gebus