초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for background matching of an aircraft or spacecraft which includes the direct electrical heating of the aircraft skin to minimize a negative infrared contrast signature detected from above platform infrared detectors. An infrared detector on the bottom of the aircraft detects t

Apparatus and method for background matching of an aircraft or spacecraft which includes the direct electrical heating of the aircraft skin to minimize a negative infrared contrast signature detected from above platform infrared detectors. An infrared detector on the bottom of the aircraft detects the background radiance which is compared with the aircraft radiance determined from the power flight conditions or from direct sensors. An on board computer compares the background and aircraft radiance to determine the amount of heat required to match the background. The computer controls a power source that heats an electrical resistor within the aircraft skin to increase the skin temperature. Selective heating of portions of the aircraft skin may be provided by a plurality of resistors strategically placed on the aircraft fuselage.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for matching the radiance of the upper skin of an aircraft to the background radiance emanating from below the aircraft, said system comprising: means for determining the radiance of said aircraft skin while in flight; means for determining the background radiance emanating from below said

A system for matching the radiance of the upper skin of an aircraft to the background radiance emanating from below the aircraft, said system comprising: means for determining the radiance of said aircraft skin while in flight; means for determining the background radiance emanating from below said aircraft while in flight; means for comparing the background radiance with the aircraft skin radiance and producing an output signal representative of a negative contrast signature, said negative contrast signature being present when the aircraft radiance is less than said background radiance; means for electrically heating the aircraft skin to increase the radiance thereof; means for determining the magnitude of the electrical power required to heat the aircraft skin sufficient to increase the aircraft radiance to match the background radiance, and means for providing said required magnitude of electrical power to said heating means thereby resulting in a substantially zero contrast signature.