Flight evaluation of U. S. Coast Guard Airborne Oil Surveillance System

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Mar. Technol. Soc. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7343146

Maurer, A; Edgerton, A T

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.

• Research Organization: Aerojet ElectroSystems Co., Azusa, CA
• OSTI ID: 7343146
• Journal Information: Mar. Technol. Soc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Mar. Technol. Soc. J.; (United States) Vol. 10:4; ISSN MTSJB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440000 -- Instrumentation
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AERIAL MONITORING
COASTAL WATERS
DATA ACQUISITION
DOCUMENTATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
OIL SPILLS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
REMOTE SENSING
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS