Comparison of midwave versus longwave intensity signatures for infrared search and track of small rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

Longwave infrared (LWIR) and midwave infrared (MWIR) UAV signature data have been acquired and analyzed in collaboration with L3 Technologies, and we present intensity and root sum square delta T for two rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the popular DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Inspire, at 0-, 45-, and 90-deg aspect angles. Signature measurements are conducted in the field with clear sky, cloudy, and land backgrounds. We compare MWIR values to that of LWIR for the following criteria: aspect angle, background type, and UAV type.