Abstract
ABSTRACT A prototype airborne oil surveillance system was developed for the United States Coast Guard by Aerojet ElectroSystems Company. The multisensor system permits real-time, day-night, all-weather detection, mapping, and documentation of oil spills at sea. The system was installed aboard a Coast Guard HU-16 Albatross and flight tested off the California coast. Surveillance data were obtained from natural seeps, a series of controlled oil spills, routine shipping, and targets of opportunity. The airborne system consists of a sidelooking radar, a passive microwave imager, a multispectral low-light level TV, a multichannel line scanner, a position reference system, and a real-time processor-display console. The system reliably detected and mapped oil spills and seeps in conditions ranging from dense undercast to clear, from wind speeds of 0 to 25 knots, and from daytime to total darkness. Test results demonstrate that a practical airborne oil surveillance system is feasible and can be invaluable to other Coast Guard missions.
Published Version
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