Abstract
This study investigates multispectral characteristics of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at different observation angles by experiment. The UAV and its engine are tested on the ground in the cruise state. Spectral radiation intensities at different observation angles are obtained in the infrared band of 0.9–15 μm by a spectral radiometer. Meanwhile, infrared images are captured separately by long-wavelength infrared (LWIR), mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR), and short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) cameras. Additionally, orientation maps of the radiation area and radiance are obtained. The results suggest that the spectral radiation intensity of the UAV is determined by its exhaust plume and that the main infrared emission bands occur at 2.7 μm and 4.3 μm. At observation angles in the range of 0°–90°, the radiation area of the UAV in MWIR band is greatest; however, at angles greater than 90°, the radiation area in the SWIR band is greatest. In addition, the radiance of the UAV at an angle of 0° is strongest. These conclusions can guide IR stealth technique development for UAVs.
Highlights
With their advantages of high flexibility, low cost, high survival rate, and low operational requirements, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used in civil fields such as urban management, agricultural monitoring, environmental protection, disaster relief, and film and television photography [1,2,3,4]
The target drone is a kind of UAVs that has important applications in the military field [7,8]
The results show that the difference in IR characteristics between the complete UAV and its engine are very important for detecting a UAV when other IR sources are present, such as IR jamming
Summary
With their advantages of high flexibility, low cost, high survival rate, and low operational requirements, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used in civil fields such as urban management, agricultural monitoring, environmental protection, disaster relief, and film and television photography [1,2,3,4]. Infrared (IR) radiation features is the major factor for stealth performance For this reason, studies on the infrared (IR) radiation characteristics of the target drone are of great significance to IR stealth techniques regarding target drone’s body, engine, and fuel formulation design and to IR warning system development. Few studies have concentrated on the IR features of a target drone and the IR difference between a UAV fuselage and its engine. The measurements of both a target drone and its gas turbine engine in different IR bands within the 0.9–15 μm band are shown. The results show that the difference in IR characteristics between the complete UAV and its engine are very important for detecting a UAV when other IR sources are present, such as IR jamming. The results are significant for the IR stealth design of UAVs
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