Wide-Area Infrared Imager (WAIRI) System for Person-in-Water Detection

State-of-the-art turreted infrared imagers can stream high-definition, dynamically sensitive, telescopic video to users searching for a person in the water (PIW). This capability has not yet been matched, however, with automated detection systems. Search rate and detection probability are currently limited by the capacity of human users to visually process and interpret video data rapidly. Fatigue, distractions, and recognition time are limiting factors. Lynntech has conceptually proven an automated system, WAIRI, which acquires and analyzes thermal data over a wide field of view for PIW detection. The system continuously determines likely targets within the wide field of view and presents them sequentially to a human user at high image magnification for identification. Phase I scaled testing demonstrated 99 percent detection probability for a PIW in sea state 3 conditions at a search rate of 360 km2/hr. Additionally, the system was both highly resistant to solar glint and able to detect hypothermal targets. Production of a flight-operational system and live, open-ocean PIW search testing will be conducted in Phase II. Low implementation costs and ease of integration with existing airborne turreted infrared imagers significantly enhance commercial viability. Potential customers include rescue, police, and military agencies.