Spectral Analysis of Ultraviolet Clutter Sources to Improve Probability of Detection in Helicopter UV Missile Warning Systems

摘要

The purpose of this research was to thoroughly examine three representative sources of ultraviolet (UV) clutter that are known to degrade the performance of current aircraft Missile Warning Systems (MWS). The experiment conducted was intended to develop a thorough understanding of the UV visible and near infrared (NIR) emissions of the three UV sources. The collected data were analyzed to identify common spectral characteristics of all clutter sources that may allow for improved clutter rejection by current and future MWS. Additionally spectral band intensity ratios were generated from the collected data to demonstrate that such ratios can in principle be utilized to discriminate between threat missiles and background clutter to improve MWS probability of detection (Pd) and further reduce the false alarm rate (FAR) The three UV sources selected as clutter emissions were a spark discharge gap and a corona discharge gap both with variable gap length and variable material electrodes and an arc welder. The results of this study provide a thorough summary of the emissions from these sources from 200 nm to 893 nm It is demonstrated that spectral rejection by focusing the MWS in a narrower spectral band is unlikely to increase Pd. It is further demonstrated that spectral ratio discrimination is sound in principle. This thesis presents and analyzes potential solutions to assist designers and program managers in improving currently fielded and developing aircraft survivability equipment.