Rapid Acquisition of Radar Targets from Moving and Static Displays

Aerial-reconnaissance radar imagery can be presented to an observer for near-real time interpretation in two ways: as a continuously moving display or in discrete, static steps. Both were studied in a laboratory experiment designed to determine their effect on the probability and speed of target acquisition. The results indicated: (1) no significant differences in the number of real or false targets acquired, (2) significantly less time required to find a target on the moving display, and (3) the time difference increased as targets became more difficult to recognize and as the available observation time increased. The relevance of this study for equipment design considerations and the generality of the results to other near-real-time reconnaissance missions are discussed. It is concluded that even among a wide variety of conditions not included in this study, where targets are of simple, well-defined patterns capable of recognition with little study, the moving presentation mode—in balance—will result in better target acquisition performance.