Experimental validation of an aircraft infrared signature code for commercial airliners

Abstract

Aircraft can be detected by their infrared radiatio n and many defense systems use this property to track these targets. Commercial airline rs are very vulnerable at low altitude, typically at take-off and landing, especially by ma n portable air defense systems. Therefore, the knowledge of the aircraft infrared signature le vel is necessary to assess the performance of threat protection systems. A predictive signatur e code is proposed to perform IR studies of air breathing vehicles, with an application to a commercial airliner. This paper reviews the models employed, the assumptions and the limitations, with a focus on commercial airliners specificities. Experiments have been carr ied out at Paris-Orly airport, and a database provides radiometric signatures of airline rs for a set of scenarios, at landing and take-off, for several aspect angles, and some compa risons are performed for the Boeing 737.