May 2, 2001 



Description of the Experiment . The May 2, 2001 test had the same goal as that on April 

 29: determine the best gain setting, this time with slightly higher wind conditions (-35 

 KT) and sea height (~2 meters). Again, the ice targets included one small iceberg (37 

 meter-long non-tabular) and two growlers. The box search pattern flown at an altitude 

 between 6000 and 8000 feet was repeated with the addition of three parallel legs to 

 obtain detection opportunities at longer ranges (20 NM and 25 NM). However, most of 

 the detection opportunities were at the 10 NM range. 



Results . As in the April 29 test, the target image quality (targets brightness and 

 definition) was best at high gain settings. The small iceberg was detected on 23 of 25 

 opportunities (92%) at all gain settings and all ranges. Both iceberg misses were on the 

 northbound leg with aircraft turning into wind and taking longer to get on course. The 

 two growlers were sighted visually and not detected on FLAR or SLAR on any of the 

 search legs. 



Wind (-35 KT) and 

 waves (~2 meters) 



Commence test pattern ~1630Z 



2,6,10,14,18 



K 



I 



3,7,11,15,19-- 



20,21 



-- 5,9,13, 17 



4,8,12,16,22 



c 



End test 

 pattern ■ 

 ~1930Z 



23 



24 



25 



J 



Initial detection 



~1315Z on transit to 



search area was in 



SLAR blind zone 



Figure 6. Test pattern and iceberg distribution for the IVIay 2, 2001 evaluation. 

 Numbers in red indicate detection opportunity. 



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