Weather Effects on Target Acquisition Part 1: Sensor Performance Model Infrared Algorithms

Abstract

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Enhancement of Army Operational Capabilities With the Use of NPOESS Data

“…The quantity Nis explicitly available within the body of the TAWS code, but (N50)D may be derived from user input for clutter level and target type. Because an alternate sensor performance model has been proposed for a TAWS upgrade (Shirkey, Sauter, & Cormier, 2001), it may be premature to modify the TAWS code to provide the N/(NSo)D ratio that is required in the development. With the equivalence between "tFOV and either taxy or taYx, it is then possible to derive a, b, aa, and ab for the combatant force elements.…”

“…Other differences between TAWS Version 2.2 and TAWS Version 3.0, aside from the inclusion of NOWS, include a revised thermal performance model multi-service electro-optic signatures (MuSES) and replacement of the Schmieder sensor performance algorithm with the more widely accepted Night Vision and Electronic Sensor Directorate's (U.S. Army CECOM, 1995) Acquire model. For a detailed comparison of the differences between these two sensor performance algorithms, the reader is referred to Shirkey, Sauter, and Cormier (2001); for the purposes of this study, the results would remain the same. To determine the maximum detection range to acquire a given target, a number of quantities need to be known: the target-to-background contrast, the atmospheric conditions, solar or lunar luminance, and sensor characteristics, all of which are spectrally variable.…”