The influence of the atmosphere in the operational area endangers the operation.
Modern electro-optical and laser systems do not reach their technical performance range in use.
The environment causes a deterioration of the possible performances due to various physical phenomena:
There is an urgent need to investigate the influence of instantaneous and climate-biological conditions in current and future operational areas of the Bundeswehr.
Solution approach is the experimental investigation and modelling of the atmospheric impact on imaging, active and passive electro-optical systems:
The "Sensor Performance Tool" (SPT) calculates spatial propagation effects and generates effective sensor performance based on prevailing environmental parameters. In combination with numerical weather forecast models, it can be used for tactical mission planning. The knowledge of the performance of own and enemy sensor technology makes it possible to identify time windows in which the own sensor suite is superior to the enemy one. An SPT can be used to find the optimal sensor for a specific
to select a mission. The prediction of sensor performance is the essential basis for the risk analysis, as it becomes possible to evaluate how easy it is to detect an own platform for enemy electro-optical sensor technology.
Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB