Davis has been involved in numerous instrumentation, measurement and modeling activities in order to study the IR signature of naval vessels and validate ShipIR/NTCS.  Starting in 2001, we have been working closely with both Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) and the US Naval Research Laboratory (US-NRL) to carry out detailed instrumented IR signature measurement trials using the unclassified Canadian Forces Auxiliary Research Vessel (CFAV Quest).

During the NATO Ship Infrared Modelling Experiment (SIMVEX) held in September 2001, Davis provided the planning, instrumentation, and measurement of all shipboard sensors, which included external ship and exhaust metal surface-mounted thermocouples, exhaust gas thermocouple probes, an exhaust gas analyser, analysis of the ship diesel fuel, the installation and programming of self-logging I-button temperature sensors, and the use of an NRL supplied solar pyranometer to measure down-welling solar heat flux.

Starting in 2003, Davis and DRDC Atlantic (based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) have worked together on three different IR measurement trials involving Quest to further advance the technology and methods used to measure and analyse full-ship infrared signatures.  In August 2003, full-ship IR measurements were taken by Davis using our own FLIR SC1000 Platinum-Silicide FPA camera; other shipboard sensors included the ship surface-mounted thermocouples, I-buttons, and a combination of solar pyranometer and thermal (sky) pyrgeometer.

During February 2004, a joint IR/RCS measurement of Quest was performed where both mid-wave and long-wave full-ship and background (sea/sky) IR measurements were recorded to validate the ShipIR model under cold winter climate conditions.

In September 2005, another IR measurement trial was held using the Quest to instrument and test a new Active Hull Cooling system.

A summary of these and other measurement and validation projects involving Davis and the ShipIR model are described in “Validation of ShipIR (v3.2): Methods and Results”.  This paper was presented at the 1st International Target and Background Modelling Workshop held during June, 2005 in Ettlingen, Germany.