Battlefield Identification Friend-Or-Foe (BIFF) - Thermal Sight Trainer.

摘要

Few Army units have access to the ranges and opposing force vehicles required for real-world training in thermal-image friend-foe discrimination and specific-vehicle identification. Even given facilities, such training is time-and-resource-expensive. This report describes a low-cost interactive trainer concept developed to provide classroom or day-room training under simulated operational conditions. This effort employs a commercial-type riflescope with coaxilly-mounted collimated light source as a substitute for the operational thermal sight. Through this sight the student views a highly-detailed replaceable scale model of the selected vehicle; each model is painted (with retroflective paint) in pattern replicating the real-world thermal signature under specified conditions. The model is mounted on a turntable, permitting presentation of either static or moving views from/to any quarter. Models could be prepared so as to replicate signature characteristics under any given operational and environmental conditions. The system includes a micro-processor which controls the light source and tracks student responses and response times.