UTILIZATION OF AN/APS-94 SIDE-LOOKING AIRBORNE RADAR SYSTEMS IN SEARCH AND RESCUE

Abstract : Since September 1978, side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) detection data have been gathered in conjunction with visual detection experiments conducted by the U.S.C.G. R&D Center. These are part of a series of experiments designed to improve search planning guidance contained in the National Search and Rescue Manual. HC-130 aircraft, equipped with either the Airborne Oil Surveillance system (AOSS) or SLAR/radar image processor (SLAR/RIP) configuration of the AN/APS-94C or D SLAR, conducted controlled searches for life rafts, small boats, and 41-to 95-foot Coast Guard vessels. Through the use of a microwave tracking system and SLAR data, the positions of searchers and targets were accurately reconstructed to facilitate the verification of detections on SLAR films or video tape. These data were used to evaluate the effects of environmental and controllable parameters on SLAR detection of the various target types. Of the 12 parameters investigated, target size/composition, search altitude, swell height, wind speed, and humidity/precipitation were found to have a significant influence on SLAR detection performance. Sweep widths for SLAR search and recommendations for SLAR utilization in SAR missions are included. In addition, recommendations for future SLAR evaluation are made. (Author)