Radar target detection as a function of search area and viewing distance

Abstract

The detection task employed a 9¼-in. plan position indicator (PPI) and simulated targets. 30 Army trainees served as Ss. Each S performed the 9 combinations of viewing distance, (a) 6 ins., (b) 12 ins., (c) 18 ins., and, search area, (a) whole scope, (b) ¼ scope, and (c) –1–1₁₆-diameter circle within the whole scope. A Treatments X Treatments X Subjects analysis of variance indicated significant main and interaction effects: as viewing distance increases, detection performance is degraded; as search area increases, detection performance is degraded; optimum viewing distance when searching the whole scope is approximately 12 ins., while optimum viewing distance for a small area (–1–1₁₆-in. diameter) within a larger area is 6 ins. or less. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)