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FIGS 16-20: EXPERIENCE WITH HYBRID IR-VISIBLE VIEWING FROM LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT
FIG 16.
The Thermovision/Superviewer was
used to look through smoke at a
burning stubble-field, to evaluate
its performance in forest fire per-
imeter surveillance.
FIG LT.
Hotspot visible from a distance of
one kilometre, in the hybrid view,
showing a holdover fire on the edge
of a field (arrow). Other hotspots
are farm machinery nearby.
FIG 18.
Approaching the same hotspot in the
helicopter, it is seen through the
Superviewer from a distance of about
100 metres (arrow) with offshoots
along the smoulding log which turned
out to be the source of the fire.
FIG 19.
After landing, the same holdover
(arrow) is invisible without the
thermal imagery to spot its radia-
tion pattern.
FIG 20.
It was very helpful to be able to
do an immediate video playback after
each patrol as a means of improving
IR operator performance - using the
CCTV monitor, and & spare headset
for the simultaneously recorded
sounds of crew comments from the
aircraft intercom.
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