AN/APS-137 Forward Looking Airborne Radar (FLAR) Evaluation Fall 1992 Experiment

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AN/APS-137 Forward Looking Airborne Radar (FLAR) Evaluation Fall 1992 Experiment

R. Q. Robe / K. O'Brien / D. L. Raunig / R. L. Marsee

During April 1992 and September/October 1992, the U.S. Coast Guard RD Center conducted experiments to determine the sweep width for the AN/APS-137 Forward Looking Airborne Radar (FLAR) when searching for 4-, 6- and 10-person life rafts and small recreational boats. Workboats used to deploy the life rafts during the Fall 1992 experiment were used as targets of opportunity. The experiments were conducted in the coastal waters off the west coast of Florida from Wacussa Bay to Gasparilla Island and on Lake Erie. Realistic radar searches to collect data used unalerted sensor operators and standard search patterns for small waterborne targets. Aircraft and target positions were recorded using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). Target detections were recorded by observers and by computers onboard the aircraft. Environmental conditions were recorded by observers on the workboats. In addition, MINIMET(TM) environmental buoys recorded the sea and wind conditions in the search areas. Environmental conditions represented in the data set included 1.0- to 3.6-foot significant sea heights and 2.9- to 15.2-knot winds. Search and rescue, Forward looking airborne radar, Radar, Inverse synthetic aperture radar, Sweep width, Search, Life raft, Small boat.