thedrifter
12-23-03, 10:14 AM
Improved thermal eye sees through smoke
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification Number: 2003121985146
Story by Lance Cpl. Christopher Roberts
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Dec. 18, 2003) -- The 'out of sight, out of mind' theory doesn't exist in the Corps. If the enemy is within range then so are the Marines. With new technology to see through obstructions like smoke, Marines can now engage their target even with impediment.
The newly tested Improved Thermal Sight System consisting of a second-generation forward looking infrared and north finding module integrated into the U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle-25. It will be the replacement for the current first-generation Forward Looking Infrared Sight. The ITSS and components provide thermal imaging and far target location capability, along with a laser-range finder and ballistic solution for the LAV-25 weapon systems.
"This test accomplished two main goals of the test team. First, it verified that a transmissometer is capable of measuring and providing controlling information for the establishment and maintenance of obscurant levels for both phosphorus and fog oil smoke curtains," said Maj. Ruben Martinez, operational test project officer, Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity.
"Second, the test verified that the method, quantity and duration of detonating white phosphorus M825 shells are sufficient to create usable smoke curtains to satisfy the test requirements."
In addition, the test also verified the integration of through-sight video and global positioning system tracking equipment to the test vehicles.
The objective of the proof of process test was to validate the obscurant control methodology for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the LAV-25, ITSS, and the M1A1 Firepower Enhancement Program, according to the letter of instruction for the obscurant control, POP.
According to Fort Sill, Okla. subject matter experts, to initiate the needed smoke curtain at a CL-4 level required detonation of four rounds of WP M825, followed by three-round detonations every 2.5 minutes for an estimated 20 rounds per trial.
During the demonstration Dec. 10, the WP M825s successfully created a smoke curtain obstruction that allowed testers to identify that the ITSS, worked effectively, said Martinez.
Throughout the testing, each goal was accomplished. The smoke curtain created a satisfactory obstruction, and the ITSS mounted inside the LAV-25 was capable of viewing the target through the smoke, Martinez added.
The smoke curtain created was roughly 250 meters in length with the cloud reaching uniform density roughly 50 meters from the ignition site. The uniform phase of the smoke curtain was estimated to measure roughly 100 to 125 meters in length with the terminal phase beginning roughly 150 to 175 meters downwind from the detonation site.
During the POP Test, multiple runs of WP smoke were performed to determine the actual quantities required to reach CL-2 and CL-4, and the best detonation timing to achieve a steady state cloud during a trial.
"Each test was a success, our goals were reached and everyone involved put forth a great effort to ensure a great test run," said Martinez.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003121985751/$file/THERMAL2_lowres.jpg
Marines stand atop an LAV-25 to observe the testing process. The objective of the proof of process test was to validate the obscurant control methodology for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the LAV-25, ITSS, and the M141 Firepowere Enhancement Program, according to the letter of instruction for the obscurant control, POP. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Christopher E. Roberts
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7FF1A75C863233D585256E01004C2686?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification Number: 2003121985146
Story by Lance Cpl. Christopher Roberts
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Dec. 18, 2003) -- The 'out of sight, out of mind' theory doesn't exist in the Corps. If the enemy is within range then so are the Marines. With new technology to see through obstructions like smoke, Marines can now engage their target even with impediment.
The newly tested Improved Thermal Sight System consisting of a second-generation forward looking infrared and north finding module integrated into the U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle-25. It will be the replacement for the current first-generation Forward Looking Infrared Sight. The ITSS and components provide thermal imaging and far target location capability, along with a laser-range finder and ballistic solution for the LAV-25 weapon systems.
"This test accomplished two main goals of the test team. First, it verified that a transmissometer is capable of measuring and providing controlling information for the establishment and maintenance of obscurant levels for both phosphorus and fog oil smoke curtains," said Maj. Ruben Martinez, operational test project officer, Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity.
"Second, the test verified that the method, quantity and duration of detonating white phosphorus M825 shells are sufficient to create usable smoke curtains to satisfy the test requirements."
In addition, the test also verified the integration of through-sight video and global positioning system tracking equipment to the test vehicles.
The objective of the proof of process test was to validate the obscurant control methodology for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the LAV-25, ITSS, and the M1A1 Firepower Enhancement Program, according to the letter of instruction for the obscurant control, POP.
According to Fort Sill, Okla. subject matter experts, to initiate the needed smoke curtain at a CL-4 level required detonation of four rounds of WP M825, followed by three-round detonations every 2.5 minutes for an estimated 20 rounds per trial.
During the demonstration Dec. 10, the WP M825s successfully created a smoke curtain obstruction that allowed testers to identify that the ITSS, worked effectively, said Martinez.
Throughout the testing, each goal was accomplished. The smoke curtain created a satisfactory obstruction, and the ITSS mounted inside the LAV-25 was capable of viewing the target through the smoke, Martinez added.
The smoke curtain created was roughly 250 meters in length with the cloud reaching uniform density roughly 50 meters from the ignition site. The uniform phase of the smoke curtain was estimated to measure roughly 100 to 125 meters in length with the terminal phase beginning roughly 150 to 175 meters downwind from the detonation site.
During the POP Test, multiple runs of WP smoke were performed to determine the actual quantities required to reach CL-2 and CL-4, and the best detonation timing to achieve a steady state cloud during a trial.
"Each test was a success, our goals were reached and everyone involved put forth a great effort to ensure a great test run," said Martinez.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003121985751/$file/THERMAL2_lowres.jpg
Marines stand atop an LAV-25 to observe the testing process. The objective of the proof of process test was to validate the obscurant control methodology for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the LAV-25, ITSS, and the M141 Firepowere Enhancement Program, according to the letter of instruction for the obscurant control, POP. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Christopher E. Roberts
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7FF1A75C863233D585256E01004C2686?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: