Project Sea Hunt: A Report on Prototype Development and Tests

摘要

During FY 79-80, a prototype Sea Hunt system was built and tested. Sea Hunt utilizes trained pigeons carried in a container attached to the underside of a helicopter to locate colored red, yellow or orange. Development of hardware and pigeon training methods are presented. Conclusions based on test data are: Sea Hunt improves detection and localization of appropriate targets; the system is reliable and easily serviced and maintained. A recommendation is made to conduct operational field testing of Sea Hunt at a Coast Guard air station.