The Hurdles To Long Focal Length, High Altitude Stand-Off Photography

Frank B. Gorman

doi:10.1117/12.959265

23 December 1980 The Hurdles To Long Focal Length, High Altitude Stand-Off Photography

Frank B. Gorman

Proceedings Volume 0242, Long Focal Length, High Altitude Standoff Reconnaissance; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959265
Event: 24th Annual Technical Symposium, 1980, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Since World War II, we have learned how to accurately predict the operational performance of photographic systems by modulation transfer function (MTF) cascading, as long as we include all the transfer functions in the analysis. This paper lays out and dissects the whole cascaded trail of hurdles to high resolution stand-off photography. It discusses the current problems that can be lessened as well as the ultimate fundamental limits of each barrier. It identifies aircraft boundary turbulence outside the window and atmospheric scattering as the two most limiting ultimate barriers. The observation is made that a system, designed and built for significantly higher target resolution performance than the cascaded natural barriers, makes little sense. A recommendation is made that low f/# high image plane resolution systems, utilizing new breakthrough Kodak cubic emulsion films, are feasible and far more cost effective for mobile platform applications than giant high f/# systems. A plea is made for this and other technical societies' support for more rigorous resolution measurement criteria and practices.

Citation Download Citation

Frank B. Gorman "The Hurdles To Long Focal Length, High Altitude Stand-Off Photography", Proc. SPIE 0242, Long Focal Length, High Altitude Standoff Reconnaissance, (23 December 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959265

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