NCJ Number
36368
Date Published
1974
Length
100 pages
Annotation
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS NEWPORT BEACH (CA) POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRAM WAS TO DEVELOP A STABILIZED LOW LIGHT LEVEL VIEWING SYSTEM FOR POLICE HELICOPTERS THAT PROVIDED NIGHTTIME SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITY.
Abstract
THIS PROGRAM INCLUDED MODIFICATION OF ONE OF THE EXISTING DEPARTMENT HUGHES 300C HELICOPTERS, INSTALLATION AND CHECKOUT OF THE VIEWING SYSTEM ON THIS HELICOPTER, AND SUPPORT FOR AN EVALUATION PROGRAM CONDUCTED BY THE NEWPORT BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES THE DESIGN, INSTALLATION, LABORATORY TESTS, AND FLIGHT TEST RESULTS. TESTS INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM MET OR EXCEEDED ALL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PROPOSED WEIGHT OF 60 POUNDS. SPECIFICALLY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS BETTER THAN THE HUMAN EYE AT ALTITUDES ABOVE 2000 FEET, ESPECIALLY OVER DIMLY LIGHTED AREAS. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE SYSTEM CAN BE AN AID TO POLICE NIGHT SURVEILLANCE UNDER MANY SITUATIONS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE DATA ON THE RESULTS OF THE LABORATORY STABILITY AND LABORATORY AND ROOF RESOLUTION TESTS AND AN EXPLANATION OF THE BRIGHTNESS GAIN OF IMAGE INTENSIFIER SYSTEM.