DEMONSTRATION OF A GIMBAL MOUNTED, HIGH RESOLUTION CHARGE COUPLED DEVICE (CCD) TELEVISION CAMERA IN LIEU OF DIRECT VIEW OPTICS FOR AIR TO GROUND TARGETING

The process of air to ground targeting for military attack aircraft involves three distinct, sequential phases of visual discrimination: detection, recognition, and identification (DRI). The detection phase is the observer’s first indication to the presence of a potential target. The process continues to the recognition phase, wherein the target is capable of being distinguished as a certain class of target, e.g., tank versus armored personnel carrier. The identification phase is the final phase in which the specific military designation of the target can be determined (Ref. 1). The most critical of these phases is the detection phase from which the other phases naturally follow in sequence. The intent of this paper is to discuss the tactical merits of charged coupled device (CCD) technology in air to ground target DRI, while contrasting the limitations imposed by the loss of direct view optics (DVO). The discussion will include the scope and method of testing and the design tradeoffs between DVO and monochromatic sensor displays as well as address the role color, or lack of it, plays in the DRI process. The paper will be supported by qualitative and quantitative data gathered from an extensive flight and ground test program conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD from October, 1996 to February 1997.