THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THRESHOLD CRITERIA FOR AUTOMATED ACCEPTANCE TEST EQUIPMENT BASED ON BATTLEFIELD USE OF TRACER AMMUNITION

For over sixty years tracer rounds have been produced and accepted using subjective observations made by hundreds of different qualified observers. Newly developed objective test methods have afforded Ballistic Engineers and Pyrotechnic Research and Development the ability to quantify real-time on an outdoor firing range, the performance of tracer ammunition. However, redefining legacy subjective test criteria into objective, automated system criteria presented its challenges and required thorough understanding of how the human eye visible spectrum is different from the technology of acquired video and image analysis. Further understanding of the battlefield use and the Soldier's application of the tracer round was necessary to provide a full circle evaluation of trace performance criteria necessary for automated system application.