Collection of Video Images and Navigation Data for Use in a Kalman Filter and Evaluation of Video Images for Post-Flight Mission Reconstruction

摘要

The primary purpose of this project was to collect navigation and video data for use in a navigational Kalman filter. The secondary purpose of this project was to gather and analyze in-flight video images for post-flight mission reconstruction and terrain feature recognition. The test was flown in a T-38 aircraft modified with a GPS-aided inertial navigation reference system, Ashtech GPS receiver, two video cameras, a video recorder, and a cockpit video display. The primary test objective to collect navigation and video data was met. The secondary test objective to collect and analyze in-flight video images for post-flight reconstruction and terrain feature recognition also was met. Video data were recorded from both the forward-looking and side-looking cameras and comments and ratings were collected from the pilots as to the quality of the cameras' day-night imaging capability under normal and anti-blooming technology. Thirteen sorties were flown, including low altitude flights over land (day, night, near sunrise, near sunset) and over water (day, night, and near sunset); high altitude flights (day and night) over land and over water; air-to-air tactical maneuvering; and level flight over a target board (day, night, near sunrise, and near sunset). In addition, the ability of the cameras to detect a ground-based infrared beacon during flight was evaluated. Results showed that the cameras were marginally useful for terrain feature recognition (rated 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best) and largely useful for mission reconstruction (rated 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best). This test was conducted as a joint venture between U.S. Air Force TPS, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation, Vision Systems International, and the Air Force Institute of Technology. (8 tables, 14 figures, 4 refs.).