Demonstration of a gimbal mounted, high resolution charge coupled device (CCD) television camera in lieu of direct view optics for air to ground targeting

The process of air to ground targeting for military attack aircraft involves three distinct, sequential phases of visual discrimination: detection, recognition, and identification (DRI). The intent of this paper is to discuss the tactical merits of charged coupled device (CCD) technology in air to ground target DRI, while contrasting the limitations imposed by the loss of direct view optics (DVO). During an extensive flight and ground test program conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, MD from October, 1996 to February, 1997, an experimental airborne electro-optical targeting sensor suite featuring high resolution CCD cameras was evaluated by direct comparison to an existing system based on DVO. The results indicated superior performance of the CCD cameras in low ambient lighting conditions, but the absence of color was a major hindrance to rapid target area acquisition. Test results indicated that high resolution and magnification are not the most critical design criteria for an electro- optical targeting suite. A thorough understanding of human factors must also be considered.