Helicopters comprise over two-thirds of the Coast Guard's total aircraft fleet and are the primary search and rescue vehicle. Present Coast Guard helicopters have, at best, a weather/navigation radar capable of detecting only relatively large targets. Both helicopter models can carry a high intensity searchlight but its narrow field of illumination limits the effective search area. Beginning in 1973 the Coast Guard examined a variety of technologies in an effort to improve night search capabilities. FLIR emerged as the standout performer, and a FLIR system is presently under development for installation on an HH-52A to prove the concept in operational conditions. The expected impact on the Coast Guard's Search and Rescue, Enforcement of Laws and Treaties, and Marine Environmental Protection missions is enormous. This paper examines design and performance tradeoffs for the Coast Guard FLIR development.
Design Considerations For U.S. Coast Guard search and Surveillance Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) System
Modern Utilization of Infrared Technology VI ; 1980 ; San Diego,United States
Proc. SPIE ; 0253
1980-12-17
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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